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Notable Clinton Countians: Lieutenant General Jay W. Kelley

Lt. Gen. Jay W. Kelley is commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and director of education, Air Education and Training Command. He ensures that Air Force needs in the areas of enlisted and officer professional military education, professional continuing education and graduate education are met, as well as officer commissioning through Officer Training … Continue reading Notable Clinton Countians: Lieutenant General Jay W. Kelley

Notable Clinton Countians: George Maxwell Fowler

A life-long resident of Frankfort, George Maxwell Fowler, known to most simply as “Max”, was born on July 6, 1889, the second son of George Y. and Christina Kramer Fowler. While yet a boy, Max became involved with work at the Frankfort Morning Times, owned and published by his father. During the early 1900s, chronic … Continue reading Notable Clinton Countians: George Maxwell Fowler

Illustrations from 1886 History of Clinton County

These are taken from the absurdly long-titled History of Clinton County, Indiana. Together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens. Also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars, and a brief review of … Continue reading Illustrations from 1886 History of Clinton County

Notable Clinton Countians: Basil “Stuffy” Walters

Basil "Stuffy" Walters,  a Frankfort native, started his newspaper career as telegraph editor for the Indianapolis Star in 1920. After a year, he moved on to other city papers, earning promotions to assistant editor, editor, executive editor, and finally vice president of the Chicago Daily News. Walters retired to Frankfort in 1961 and was inducted into Indiana’s Journalism … Continue reading Notable Clinton Countians: Basil “Stuffy” Walters

Notable Clinton Countians: Zerna Addis Sharp

Zerna Addis Sharp, often called the “Mother of the Dick and Jane reader,” was born near Hillisburg in 1889. Although Sharp never wrote any of the stories for the popular reading books, she selected the subject matter and storylines and supervised the artwork and layout for each book. She also named the characters and decided … Continue reading Notable Clinton Countians: Zerna Addis Sharp

Notable Clinton Countians: Freddie Shaffer

Freddie Shaffer  was born and raised in Frankfort. Shaffer performed with the Fred Waring and Paul Whiteman orchestras before returning to Clinton County to teach music. In 1938, Shaffer established an all-girl band, starting with about 15 talented girls. The Big Band era was in full swing, and the girls were selected for their musical … Continue reading Notable Clinton Countians: Freddie Shaffer

Notable Clinton Countians: Curley Myers

Gerald “Curley” Myers  began his career at age 9 performing at area social gatherings. After high school, Myers formed the Hoosier Ramblers, regulars on WDAN radio in Danville, Ill. They later moved to WLW in Cincinnati and changed their name to the Buccaneers. Early in 1955, Indianapolis-based WFBM-TV started airing Indiana Hoedown, featuring the WLW stars. … Continue reading Notable Clinton Countians: Curley Myers