1. Hamlin Garland (1860)

Novelist Poet Essayist Short Sto

An author and poet who wrote about the lives of Midwestern farmers, he is especially known for works such as Main-Travelled Roads (1891), Prairie Folks (1892), and Jason Edwards: An...

2. Mary Ingalls (1865)

American Writer

Older sister of Laura Ingalls Wilder and writer of the popular book series Little House on the Prairie. She suffered from blindness starting at a young age.

3. Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867)

American Children's Writer D

Author of the autobiographical American pioneer-themed Little House on the Prairie series. Her family's years in Wisconsin became the basis of two of the most popular books in the series:...

4. Kevin Gage (1959)

Actor

Perhaps best known for his role of Waingro in the Michael Mann crime thriller Heat, he has appeared in several big name films and television shows including Con Air, G.I....

5. Harry Steenbock (1886)

American Biochemist

University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemist who discovered what became Vitamin D. He also developed the cure for rickets.

6. Marc Mitscher (1887)

United States Admiral

Pioneer of naval aviation who oversaw early ship-borne flights and participated in the pivotal carrier battles of WWII.

7. Ed Lewis (1891)

Wrestler

Six-time world heavyweight champion who was known as Strangler.

8. Sterling North (1906)

American Children's Writer

An American children's author, he is best known for Midnight and Jeremiah (1943) and the Newbery Honor-winning Rascal (1963). He also worked as a reporter and editor for the New...

9. Dave Dudley (1928)

American Musician

Musician who pioneered the country truck-driving music genre with his 1963 hit, "Six Days on the Road." He also recorded tracks including "Vietnam Blues" and "Me and ol' C.B."

10. Jim Caldwell (1955)

Football Coach

Served as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. In 2014, he was named the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

11. Ben Peterson (1950)

Olympic Wrestler

Wrestler who won two Olympic medals: gold in 1972, and silver in 1976.

12. David Filo (1966)

American Businessman

Co-founded Yahoo! in 1994. The original vision was for it to be a guide to the internet.

13. Madilyn Bailey (1992)

Pop Singer

Acoustic pop singer and songwriter who gained notoriety thanks to her stylistic renditions on YouTube. In 2021, she went viral after performing a song on America's Got Talent that she wrote based...

14. Alexandra Petri (1988)

Journalist

Writer and humorist who has written for The Washington Post newspaper as well as the ComPos blog on the paper's website. Her book of essays, A Field Guide to Awkward Silences, was...

15. Joe Hottinger (1982)

Guitarist

Musician best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the Pennsylvania rock band Halestorm. He won a Grammy for his work on the band's 2012 album "The Strange...

16. Jeanne Haney (1958)

American Swimmer Olympian

Jeanne Marie Haney is an American former swimmer who participated in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal Quebec. She competed in the 400-meter individual medley.

17. Ben C. Larkin (1873)

American Politician

Ben C. Larkin was a North Dakota Republican Party politician who served as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner from 1941 to his death in 1949. Prior to 1941 his...

18. Muhammad El-Amin (1987)

American Professional Basketball

Muhammad El-Amin is an American professional basketball player. Since 2010 he has played in leagues in Hungary Israel and Italy after going undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft. As of...

19. Herman H. Taylor (1877)

American Politician

Herman Henry Taylor was a Republican politician from Idaho. He served as the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho. Taylor was elected in 1913 along with Governor John M. Haines. He...

20. Richard Christiansen (politician) (1928)

American Politician

Richard M. Christiansen was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

21. Eugenie Scott (1945)

American Anthropologist

Eugenie Carol Scott is an American physical anthropologist a former university professor and a one of the strongest voices challenging the teaching of young earth creationism and intelligent design in...

22. Sandy Dempsey (1949)

Actress

Sandy Dempsey was an American actress appearing in some 80 feature films, most of them considered adult movie.

23. Pancho Carter (1950)

American Racing Driver

Duane C. Pancho Carter Jr. is a retired American race car driver. He is most famous for his participation in CART races. He won the pole position for the...

24. William Roesch (1865)

American Mayor And Newspaper Edi

Russell Roesch was the first mayor of Eau Gallie Florida. He served six-terms in 1896 1901 1905 1908 1924 and 1925. He was the founder and editor of the newspaper...

25. Billy Adams (1861)

American Politician

Herbert Adams better known as Billy Adams was the 25th Governor of the State of Colorado United States from 1927 until 1933. Adams was born in Blue Mounds Wisconsin. In...

26. Patrick Thomas O'Brien (1951)

American Actor

Patrick Thomas O'Brien is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the role of Mr. Dewey the math teacher from Saved by the Bell.

27. Konstance Knox (1955)

American Virologist

Konstance K. Knox is an American virologist and entrepreneur who founded Viracor the Wisconsin Viral Research Group and Viracor's Institute for Viral Pathogenesis. In 2000 Viracor became the first biotechnology...

28. Robert J. Kuntz (1955)

American Game Designer

Robert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is best known for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.

29. Ernest Emerson (1955)

Knifemaker Martial Artist

Ernest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker martial artist and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry Emerson became a knifemaker by producing knives for...

30. Edmund G. McGilton (1858)

Nebraska Politician

Edmund George McGilton was a Nebraska politician and lawyer who served as lieutenant governor from 1903-07. McGilton was born on February 10 1858 in Eau Galle Wisconsin. He graduated from...

31. Dominic Fumusa (1969)

American Actor

Dominic Fumusa is an American stage and screen actor currently starring on the comedy drama series Nurse Jackie on Showtime.

32. Raphaele Shirley (1969)

American Artist

Raphaele Shirley is a French-American artist.

33. Ike Sturm (1978)

American Composer

Ike Sturm is a bassist composer and educator in New York City USA. Ike Sturm is most known for his work as Assistant Director of Music for the Jazz Ministry...

34. Bob Carpenter (baseball) (1917)

American Baseball Player

Robert Louis Carpenter was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1940 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1947 with the New York Giants and the Chicago...

35. Kaya Wittenburg (1972)

American Model

Kaya Wittenburg is a fashion model businessman and actor from the United States. He is best known for his international modeling career walking runways in Europe Asia Africa and South...

36. Mike Huwiler (1972)

American Soccer Player

Mike Huey Huwiler is a retired U. S. soccer midfielder who was a member of the U. S. team at the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1996 D. C. United...

37. Paige Hemmis (1972)

American Television Personality

Paige Hemmis is an American television personality particularly as a host of the series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In 2001 she founded a real estate company that bought and renovated...

38. Art Atwood (1973)

Bodybuilder

Art Atwood was an American IFBB professional heavyweight bodybuilder.