Folks with ties to Noble County, Indiana
 who have made their mark on history.
(Then and Now)

      Named TeenTrend Magazine's
"2007 Trendiest Teen in America", Ligonier's own Laura Gray exemplifies all the attributes that make family and friends proud.  Her outstanding leadership skills, volunteer spirit, academic accomplishments, and talent make her not only trendy, but a genuine asset to her school and community.  This 16-year old sophomore at West Noble High School is involved in Future Problem Solvers, Academic Superbowl, Tennis, Theatre33 (the school's theatre department), Speech Team, and Girl Scouts.  She was part of the Indiana All-State Women's Choir and is also involved in scholarship pageants. In her "spare time", she enjoys drawing, reading, listening to music, surfing the web, singing, writing, swimming, playing tennis, and playing piano. Laura's a remarkable young woman, and Noble County is proud to call her our own!

Dr. Harold C. Urey – (1893-1981) Nobel Prize in Chemistry; 1934. Graduated from Kendallville High School in 1911., then taught for 3 years in rural schools, including Oak Grove School, Albion (pictured below) which is still standing. He is known “for his discovery of heavy hydrogen” and was Director of War Research, Atomic Bomb Project, 1940-1945.

Dr. Harold Urey

Oak Grove School, Albion, IN

Ford Frick – President of the National Baseball League from 1934-1951 and Commissioner of Baseball from 1951 – 1965. Born in Wawaka, raised in Brimfield, and graduated from Rome City High School in 1910.

Dr. Earl Butz – born in York Township (Noble County) and graduated from Wawaka High School in 1927. He attended Purdue University on a 4-H Scholarship where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture In 1932. In 1937, he received the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue. He served as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture from 1954-1957 under President Eisenhower. From 1971 – 1974, he was Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents Nixon and Ford. Dr. Butz worked tirelessly to promote American agriculture.
Dr. Earl Butz at the White House with President Nixon.

E. Ross Adair – U.S. Congressman 1951 – 1971 and served as Ambassador to Ethiopia. Born in Albion in 1907 and graduated from Albion High School in 1924.

Arthur Franklin Mapes – (1913-1986) Indiana Poet Laureate. A lifelong resident of Kendallville and graduated from Kendallville High School.. He was a self-taught poet who started to achieve state and national recognition in the 1950’s. His poem, “Indiana” was adopted as the official state poem in 1963.

Dwight Herbert Green – (1897-1958) Born in Ligonier, IN and graduated from Ligonier High School in 1915. He received his law degree from the University of Chicago in 1922. He became U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and went on to become Governor of Illinois from 1941 to 1949.

Major General William Eagles (1895–1988). Graduated Albion High School in 1913 and went on to graduate The United States Military Academy at West Point. During World War II, from 1943-1945 he was the Commanding General, 45th Division, Italy and Southern France. He is the highest ranked Noble County Veteran.

Dr. Lloyd C. Douglas – (1877-1951) Minister and Author who attended the 1-room Salem School in Washington Township (Noble County), near Wilmot. He graduated from Wittenberg Academy and Wittenberg College & Theological Seminary in Springfield, OH. His first book, “Magnificent Obsession” appeared in 1929 and sold over 2 million copies. During the 1930’s, Douglas was one of the most popular novelist in the US. He authored numerous other books, notably including “The Robe” and “The Big Fisherman”.

Gene Stratton-Porter (1863-1924) Mrs. Porter authored novels, nature works, poetry, essays, and numerous magazine articles. Her works have been translated into several foreign languages and eight of her novels have been produced as movies. She was an accomplished naturalist and photographer. Her “Cabin in Wildflower Woods”, where she did much of her writing and studies, lies nestled in 123 acres of serene woodlands and gardens along the banks of beautiful Sylvan Lake near Rome City. This State Historic Site, her cabin, and the Carriage House Visitors Center are open to the public.

Glenn Steele – Played Defensive Tackle for the NFL Cincinnati Bengals from 1998 -2004. He was born in Ligonier in 1974 and graduated West Noble High School and University of Michigan.

Brad Miller - This 7’, 261 lb. Center for the Sacramento Kings is a Noble County native. He was born in 1976 and attended East Noble High School in Kendallville and Purdue University. Career highlights include NBA Western Conference Player of the Week, Jan. 24-30, 2005 and NBA All-Star 2003-04.

Ian Barnard - 16, of Kendallville, reigns in his Quarter Horse “Beamer” and brings home the World Championship Reining Title during the 2005 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth, TX. Ian defeated 109 other riders to secure the World Champion title.

Kelsea Hull – Captured the 2005 World Championship Title in the Working Hunter Division at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth, TX. Competing in the “18 and Under” Class, this 13 year old rode against 73 entries to win the title. Ligonier, Indiana is home to Kelsea.