Notable People

 

Alvin King

Founder of Veterans Day

The reason Americans set aside November 11th to remember those who have served in all wars and conflicts is due to the efforts of an Emporian whose beloved nephew was…

Clint Bowyer

Nascar Driver
Website

Clint Bowyer (born May 30, 1979) is a professional stock car racing driver. He currently drives the No. 14 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing and competes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. He has…

Dean Smith

Basketball Coach

Dean Edwards Smith (February 28, 1931 – February 7, 2015) was an American men’s college basketball head coach. Called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame, he coached…

Grant Frederick Timmerman

Medal of Honor Recipient

Grant F. Timmerman (February 19, 1919 – July 8, 1944) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the United States of America’s highest and most prestigious personal military decoration, for his heroic…

John Lee “J.L.” Lewis

Professional Golfer
Website

J.L. Lewis (born July 18, 1960) is an American professional golfer who has the distinction of winning the PGA Tour twice – in 1999 and 2003. He is also the winner…

Maud Wagner

Circus performer and first known female tattoo artist

Maud (Van Buran) Wagner was born in 1877, in Lyon County, Kansas. As a young adult, Maud was a performer in various traveling circuses as a contortionist and trapeze artist. Her…

Ronald Lee Ermey

Actor and Golden Globe nominee
Website

American actor Ronald Lee Ermey (March 24, 1944 – April 15, 2018), known professionally as R. Lee Ermey, was born in Emporia, Kansas and grew up on a farm near Kansas…

William Allen White

Author & Editor

Early Days William Allen White was born in Emporia on February 10, 1868, the son of Dr. Allen White and Mary Ann Hatten White. He grew up in El Dorado,…