List of people from Galesburg, Illinois

The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Galesburg, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Galesburg, Illinois.

Academics and writing

• Ira Clifton Copley, publisher and statesman, founder of the Copley Press
• Emily Arnold McCully, children's book author, winner of the 1993 Caldecott Medal
• Carl Sandburg, writer and editor; winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln; born in Galesburg
• Chad Simpson, short and flash fiction author^[1]
• Richard L. Wilson, newspaperman, recipient of the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting; born in Galesburg in 1905^[2]
• Sewall Wright, evolutionary biologist, a founder of modern population genetics

Business and invention

• George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., inventor of the Ferris wheel
• Whitcomb L. Judson, inventor of the zipper
• Charles Rudolph Walgreen, founder of Walgreens

Media and arts

• Hugh Gillin, actor
• Michael Greer, actor, comedian, and cabaret performer
• S.S. McClure, publisher
• Cameron Mitchell, actor, Disney Channel's High School Musical
• George Reeves, actor, played Superman in popular 1950s television show
• Dorothea Tanning, painter, printmaker, sculptor and writer
• Rudy Vaughn, singer-songwriter
• Chris Verene, artist
• Pete Weber, sports broadcaster

Military

• Joseph A. Ahearn, US Air Force general
• Mary Ann Bickerdyke, also known as "Mother Bickerdyke"; Civil War nurse for Union Army
• Gustavus Cheyney Doane, US Army officer and explorer

Politics and law

• John Rusling Block, Cabinet member in Ronald Reagan administration; born in Galesburg
• George Radcliffe Colton, US Army colonel; Governor of Puerto Rico (1909–1913)^[3]
• Edwin H. Conger, US congressman, diplomat, and lawyer^[4]
• Omer N. Custer, Illinois State Treasurer and newspaper editor; lived in Galesburg^[5]
• Phil Hare, US congressman representing Illinois's 17th district^[6]
• Carl Hawkinson, Illinois politician; born in Galesburg^[7]
• Charles B. Lawrence, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; lived in Galesburg^[8]
• Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States; lived in Galesburg in his youth
• Wallace Thompson, Illinois State Senator; born in Galesburg^[9]

Sports

• Grover Cleveland Alexander, Hall of Fame pitcher, spent the 1909 season with the Galesburg Boosters
• Mike Davison, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants; born in Galesburg
• A. J. Fike, driver with NASCAR
• Aaron Fike, driver with NASCAR
• Todd Hamilton, golfer with the PGA Tour, 2004 British Open champion; born in Galesburg
• Willie Heston, college football halfback and coach; state judge in Michigan; born in Galesburg
• Irma Hopper, Olympic fencer; born in Galesburg
• Elbert Kimbrough, safety with the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and New Orleans Saints; born in Galesburg
• Jim Sundberg, catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers; born in Galesburg
• Art Twineham, catcher for the St. Louis Browns; born in Galesburg

References

1. Simpson, Chad (June 15, 2006). "Miracle". Smoke Long Quarterly. Retrieved September 2011.
2. "Pulitzer Prizes". The Pulitzer Prizes: National Reporting. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
3. "George Radcliffe Colton". Find a Grave. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
4. "Edwin H. Conger". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
5. 'Illinois Blue Book 1929–1930,' Biographical Sketch of Omer N. Custer, pg. 96-97
6. "HARE, Phil, (1949 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
7. 'Illinois Blue Book 2001–2002, Biographical Sketch of Carl Hawkinson, pg. 118
8. Dead, Judge C. B. Lawrence of Illinois Passes Away-Death of Rev B. F. Crocker,' Monmouth Evening Gazette, April 10, 1883, pg. 1
9. 'Illinois Blue Book 1951–1952,' Biographical Sketch of Wallace Thompson, pg. 232