Historians note past, famous residents

May 27—Creston is known as the birthplace of "The Bob Newhart Show" actress Marcia Wallace and the childhood home of Frank Phillips who created the oil company of the same name.

But there are others from Union County who had their own level of fame and celebrity status.

Local historians Jane Briley and Jennifer Queener highlighted some of those people Wednesday at Gibson Memorial Library. The people listed had lived in Union County during their lifetime.

"It's not all inclusive," Briley said explaining her presentation. "And some places they are known better than we know them."

Briley listed Lewis Brown who was born Feb. 13, 1894, in Creston. He served in World War I then began a career in industry. He was chairman of Johns-Manville a manufacturer of asbestos and asbestos products which are used in various aspects of construction. His work earned him a cover of Time Magazine in April 1939. He was also involved in the American Enterprise Association, a think tank. He died Feb. 27, 1951, in Florida.

Jerome Hunsaker was born Aug. 26, 1886, in Creston before the family moved to Michigan. He had an extensive Navy career and got into aviation and engineering afterward. His work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Jerome C. Hunsaker Visiting Professor of Aerospace Systems is a professorship established in 1954 by MIT'S Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. It is named in honor of JCH's achievements in aeronautical engineering. He died in September 1984.

A 30 plus year career in film, Ben Markson was born Aug. 6, 1892, in Creston. He was part of 45 films. His early work was the co-screenwriter on the 1928 film "The River Pirate," a silent film with sound sequences. Arguably his most popular work was "The Cisco Kid," an western-themed television show from 1950-1956 starring Duncan Renaldo in the title role and Leo Carillo as the sidekick, Pancho. He also wrote for work involving Shirley Temple. Markson died October 1971.

Born May 31, 1862, in Afton, Cynthia May Westover Alden, was author of "Bushy" in 1896 based on childhood experiences. In 1894 she was editor of the woman's department at the New York Recorder.[3] In 1897 she moved to the New York Tribune, where she held the same position. In 1899, Alden started on the editorial staff of the Ladies' Home Journal, until 1909. She died in January 1931.

Julee Cruise's musical career has included the theme song of the television show "Twin Peaks." Born Dec. 1, 1956, in Creston, her recording career started in 1985. She has recorded four records, her most recent in 2011 "My Secret Life." She has also contributed music to various television shows.