Grant County is proud of many native sons and daughters who have made their mark on history. The list of notable natives from this small area is impressive.
Grant County is home to many famous individuals. From cartoonists, to authors, to the personification of "cool," those who called Marion and the surrounding area home have influenced the local culture.
Jim Davis
Creator of "Garfield," the lasagna-loving comic strip cat, was reared near Fairmount. "Garfield" appears in thousands of newspapers around the world. His studio, Paws Inc., is located near Muncie, Indiana.
James Dean
Starred in "East of Eden," "Giant," and "Rebel Without A Cause" before he was tragically killed at the age of 24 in 1955. Dean was born in Marion and spent much of his childhood in Fairmount.
Mildred Dilling
Born 1894, became the most renowned woman harpist in the world. Harpo Marx, Bob Hope, Deanna Durbin, and Sir Laurence Olivier were among the students of Dilling. During her career, Dilling performed seven recitals at the White House in Washington, DC.
Elisabeth Hamilton Friermood
Authored nearly 20 childrens books, many of them based on the simple life of growing up in Marion. Friermood was born in Marion in 1903.
Phil Jones
Known throughout the U.S. for his work as a television journalist; Jones has been seen most recently on "48 Hours." on CBS. Jones graduated from Fairmount High School in 1955.
Robert Sheets
The former director of the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Florida. Sheets is a 1955 graduate of Fairmount High School and attended Ball State University in nearby Muncie.
Willis VanDevanter
Born in Marion in 1859. In 1910, President Taft appointed VanDevanter to the position of U.S. Supreme Court Justice where he served for 26 years.
Mary Jane Ward
Authored several books including "The Snake Pit," a Book of the Month Club selection which became a major motion picture starring Olivia DeHaviland. Ward was born in Fairmount in 1905.
Celebrity status is not limited to those who were born in Grant County; all of the following recognizable names lived in Grant County at some point in their lives:
Kennesaw Mountain Landis
Served an apprenticeship in the Marion law office of Circuit Court Judge Custer but is better known as the first commissioner of professional baseball.
Joaquin Miller
The "Poet of the Sierras, " spent some of his childhood near Marion. Miller is best known for his poem "Columbus."
Samuel Plato
African-American building contractor, lived in Marion from 1902-1921. During that time he built Hostess House in Marion, at least two churches, and the Platonian apartments. His later career included a number of post offices and other government projects.
George Steele, Jr.
Lived in Marion until 1896, piloted the ZR-3 Dirigible in the first trans-Atlantic crossing of the rigid airship. Steele made his journey 2 1/2 years before the historic crossing by Lindbergh in 1927.
Marie Webster
Wrote the first book on quilts, "Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them," designed innovative quilt patterns, and operated her quilt pattern company during the years she lived in Marion, 1902-1942. Her home at 926 S. Washington, Marion, is being restored as the Quilters Hall of Fame.
More information about these and other celebrities with Grant County connections can be found by consulting the following:
* "Fairmount...Home of Distinguished People," booklet published by Fairmount Historical Museum, Inc. and available at the museum.
* Marion Public Library Museum, 600 S. Washington Street, Marion 765-668-2900.
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