George C. Crout

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 Middletown Journal—Middletown Diary – which began running in 1959, as well as numerous Sunday features dating back to 1938. For over 20 years he appeared over WPFB presenting historical features. His historical files and large photograph collection of local subjects have been given to the public library for use by future historians.
Crout’s writing achieved national recognition with his being listed in Contemporary Authors and the series Something About the Author. Two of his books won awards from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies. Locally in 1977, the American Legion Post 218 presented him with the Americanism Award. In 1984 the Middletown Historic Preservation Council presented him with a special award for his help in creating the Canal Museum. In 1988 he was honored with the All-American Citizens Award. Nationally he was honored by Freedom Foundation’s American Educator’s Medal.
In 1963 Crout and his long-time collaborator, Wilfred D. Vorhis, began a movement to build a local museum. When the Locktender’s House at Amanda was torn down in 1964, they saw that materials were saved and stored for eventual incorporation into the Canal Museum, erected in 1982. The two were also involved in saving the old Excello Locks, now a small county park.

Crout was a member of the Monroe Methodist Church, a life-member of the American Legion, and various educational groups, including the Retired Teachers Association. He was a charter member, former officer, and trustee of the Middletown Historical Society, serving 30 years as its curator. He was also a member of the Blue Ball, Germantown, Trenton, Monroe, Butler County, and Ohio Historical Societies and the Canal Society of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle Williamson Crout and Ebert Crout, and his sister Laura Crout Riley.

He is survived by two nephews, Robert L. Riley of Pecatonica, Illinois and Richard A. Riley of Columbus, OH, along with great nephews.

Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2004 at 1:00 PM at Elk Creek Cemetery in Madison Township with Chaplain Stan Gockel officiating and with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 218 Honor Guard. There will be no visitation.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Life Care Fund, c/o Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation, 1001 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229.


Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044