OHBUTLER-L Archives

From: "Bob Kneer" <>
Subject: George Crout
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 17:53:16 -0500

George Crout



CROUT, George Clement Historian, author, and educator, George C. Crout,
died Tuesday, November 30, 2004. A longtime Middletown resident, Mr.
Crout spent his retirement years at Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village in
Monroe. He was born February 10, 1917 in the log house section of the
Williamson homestead on land settled by his great grandfather in 1815.
It was located in Madison Township along Michael Road. His log cabin
beginnings, ancient family records and heirlooms led to his life-long
interest in local history. He attended local schools, graduating from
Middletown High School in 1935. After receiving his education degree at
Miami University, he entered teaching here, while continuing graduate
work in education, history, and related fields. He earned four degrees
from Miami, being awarded its first ever in Master of Education and
Specialist in Education. Later he did graduate work at the University of
Michigan, Vanderbilt, Bowling Green, Appalachian State, and elsewhere.
He entered the Army Air Corps in early 1942, serving in combat
intelligence. For his part in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in World War
II, he was awarded six bronze battle stars. Historical material gathered
by Crout during the South Pacific campaign, as well as letters written
to him from Middletown, were preserved and were stored in the World War
II depository maintained by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
After the war, Crout returned to teaching in the Middletown School
District at Jefferson and Lincoln Schools. In 1948 he was appointed
principal at Sherman School and in 1951 was chosen to open the new
Wilson School on Highview Road. For a time, he served as both Wilson and
Blue Ball School principal. In 1961 he was transferred to Mayfield
School, where he had begun his teaching career. He headed this school
until his retirement in 1975. During his 38 year career in education, he
began to write a local history book, which was used by the third grade
classes here for 30 years, and Ohio history textbooks, which found wide
use throughout the state. Three such books served Ohio junior high
students for over a 30 year period. Other works included plays published
by Franklin's Eldridge Publishing Company and even a book of Ohio poems.
He also wrote "Middletown-All American City" sponsored by Post 218 of
the American Legion, and with Roger L. Miller, "Images of Middletown,
Ohio". A prolific writer, Crout published some 15 historical books,
covering everything from local to national subjects. His name appeared
on articles in numerous magazines, and he served on the editorial staff
of "Ohio Cues" a children's historical publication.Locally he is
remembered for his column in the
Published in The Middletown Journal on 12/2/2004

This thread:

• George Crout by "Bob Kneer" <>