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George Barr McCutcheon, a novelist and playwright, was born in South Raub, near Lafayette, Indiana. He was the son of John Barr McCutcheon and Clara Glick. His brother, John T. McCutcheon, was an eminent Chicago newspaper cartoonist and Lake Forest resident.

McCutcheon began school at Purdue University in 1882 and soon started work as a part-time reporter for the “Lafayette Journal.” McCutcheon flunked out of school his sophomore year; however he remained at the Journal part-time and was hired on full time in 1889. He continued his career in journalism at the “Lafayette Daily Courier” as their city editor.

McCutcheon’s love of writing extended to works of fiction as well. Besides writing for the newspaper, he spent much of his free time writing in hopes of publishing novels and plays. He succeeded in doing so in 1901 with his book, “Graustark: The Story of a Love behind a Throne.” The book was the number one best seller of that year. McCutcheon went on to write five sequels to the novel over the years.

In 1902, McCutcheon left the “Lafayette Daily Courier” and moved to Chicago. Quickly following the success of the first “Graustark” novel, McCutcheon published “Brewster’s Millions” in 1902. McCutcheon continued to write, publishing over 40 novels, as well as several plays over the years, many which proved to be successful. Eight of his novels were on the bestseller lists from 1901-1914.

In 1904, McCutcheon married a widow, Marie Proudfoot Van Antwerp Fay, and together they moved from Chicago to New York in 1910. The couple had one child who died shortly after birth. However, McCutcheon adopted Marie’s son from a previous marriage.

McCutcheon was a member of a number of New York clubs, sold several of his novels’ plots to the movie industry and collected and sold art. McCutcheon died in New York City at the age of 62.

As stated on the organization’s official website, the mission of the Lake Forest Caucus is “to provide an open, independent, nonpartisan process for recommending qualified citizen volunteers to serve in Lake Forest government and on the School Boards.”

Source: https://www.lakeforestcaucus.com/who-is-lake-forest-caucus/history-of-lake-forest-caucus/

Mary Horton Wadsworth was born in Lake Forest, Illinois to Henry Horton and Lucinda Sheer. She graduated from Lake Forest College (then University) in 1889.

Horton married Joseph T. Wadsworth in 1898. The couple had four children, Joseph, Winifred, Sidney and Edward.

Janet Land Van der Eb was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania to Helen Ortlip and Clarence G. Land. Van der Eb was a painter and teacher.

She was married to Henry G. Van der Eb and the two lived in Lake Forest, Illinois for a period of time. The couple had one daughter, Susan, and two sons, Henry Jr. and Peter.

Marvin Kent was born in Ravenna Ohio to Zenas and Pamelia Kent. He was educated at both Tallmadge and Claridon Academies.

Kent married Maria Stewart in 1840. The couple had two sons, William and Henry.

Kent worked in businesses owned by his father for a time as supervisor at a tannery and at the Kent Flouring Mill. Kent founded a glass works in the 1850s.

By 1851 Kent had joined the railroad industry and helped to plan and develop the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad. He also served as its first president. The railroad was completed in 1863. Kent ensured the town of Franklin Mills, where some of his father’s businesses resided, was named a hub for the railroad. The shops and business opportunities this brought with it to the area led residents to rename the town in 1864 in honor of Marvin Kent. From then on Franklin Mills became known as Kent, Ohio.

Kent also went on to serve as bank president at Kent National Bank. He was involved in politics as well and served as an Ohio State Senator, elected in 1875.