Clinton C. Babbitt, 45, versatile radio entertainer, former Chautauqua star and a veteran of overseas service with the 91st Division, died at 11 p.m. Monday in Mercy hospital after an illness of only three days. Popularly known to his radio audience as "Neighbor Clint", director of the farm hour of station WCLO from the time of the station's opening Aug. 1, 1930 until May 1, 1931. Mr. Babbitt had a great many friends and admirers in Southern Wisconsin. Since going to Milwaukee last spring, he had been with John Hoffman and Sons company, appearing regularly in radio programs of the company over station WTMJ.
Mr. Babbitt had been in failing health since his war service, and was brought to the home of his sister, Mrs. Edward Bartz, route 7, last Friday. He was taken to the hospital at 2 p.m. Monday, and died late in the evening. His last appearance on the radio was at the noon hour program from WTMJ on April 1.
He was one of hte group associated with station WCLO here at its opening and during its first months the farm hour and other programs which he organized, directed and took part in became among the most popular features.
Mr. Babbitt was born Aug. 26, 1886, in Oregon, Wis., a son of Byron and Marion Dick Babbitt, and spent his early life at Evansville. He became interested in entertainment work as a boy and as a first venture studied ventriloquism.
For eight year after finishing his formal education in the Evansville high school and business college, he was foreman in a foundry of the Rock Island Plow company, Here he became a baseball pitcher with a plant team, attaining one of his youthful ambitions. His ability as a ball player soon found other openings for him, and for 12 years he was a pitcher for semi-professional independent teams.
With the opening of the World War, Mr. Babbitt enlisted in the 91st division at Rock Island, and saw service on two fronts. He was struck in one foot by a bullet while carrying dispatches, and later was gassed. After serving through the war, he was discharged Dec. 18, 1918, and came to Janesville to make his home with Mrs. Bartz.
After the war he joined a Chautauqua company and for seven years was a lecturer, novelty entertainer, ventriloquist, and superintendent of three larger Chautauqua companies.
He attained prominence as a lecturer in behalf of the Indians, having been adopted into the Blackfoot tribe of Montana and given the name of "Gray Wolf." Under this name he toured the nation lecturing for the cause of the Indians, and urging that their treatment be bettered.
Coming to WCLO when it was organized, Mr. Babbitt will be best remembered as the leader of the Muleskinners, radio old-time orchestra.
Survivors are one son, Marion, 19, a student at the University of Wisconsin, his mother, Mrs. Marian Babbitt, who for the past four weeks has been critically ill in Mercy hospital here; two sisters, Mrs. William Canniff and Mrs. Edward Bartz, both of route 7; and one nephew, Byron Bartz, Janesville. Mr. Babbitt was a nephew and namesake of Clinton Babbitt, once congressman representing this district in Wisconsin.
He was a member of the Janesville post of the American Legion, and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars...
--Janesville Daily Gazette, April 5, 1932.
Not to be confused with the politician (1831-1907) who represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district
Mr. Babbitt had been in failing health since his war service, and was brought to the home of his sister, Mrs. Edward Bartz, route 7, last Friday. He was taken to the hospital at 2 p.m. Monday, and died late in the evening. His last appearance on the radio was at the noon hour program from WTMJ on April 1.
He was one of hte group associated with station WCLO here at its opening and during its first months the farm hour and other programs which he organized, directed and took part in became among the most popular features.
Mr. Babbitt was born Aug. 26, 1886, in Oregon, Wis., a son of Byron and Marion Dick Babbitt, and spent his early life at Evansville. He became interested in entertainment work as a boy and as a first venture studied ventriloquism.
For eight year after finishing his formal education in the Evansville high school and business college, he was foreman in a foundry of the Rock Island Plow company, Here he became a baseball pitcher with a plant team, attaining one of his youthful ambitions. His ability as a ball player soon found other openings for him, and for 12 years he was a pitcher for semi-professional independent teams.
With the opening of the World War, Mr. Babbitt enlisted in the 91st division at Rock Island, and saw service on two fronts. He was struck in one foot by a bullet while carrying dispatches, and later was gassed. After serving through the war, he was discharged Dec. 18, 1918, and came to Janesville to make his home with Mrs. Bartz.
After the war he joined a Chautauqua company and for seven years was a lecturer, novelty entertainer, ventriloquist, and superintendent of three larger Chautauqua companies.
He attained prominence as a lecturer in behalf of the Indians, having been adopted into the Blackfoot tribe of Montana and given the name of "Gray Wolf." Under this name he toured the nation lecturing for the cause of the Indians, and urging that their treatment be bettered.
Coming to WCLO when it was organized, Mr. Babbitt will be best remembered as the leader of the Muleskinners, radio old-time orchestra.
Survivors are one son, Marion, 19, a student at the University of Wisconsin, his mother, Mrs. Marian Babbitt, who for the past four weeks has been critically ill in Mercy hospital here; two sisters, Mrs. William Canniff and Mrs. Edward Bartz, both of route 7; and one nephew, Byron Bartz, Janesville. Mr. Babbitt was a nephew and namesake of Clinton Babbitt, once congressman representing this district in Wisconsin.
He was a member of the Janesville post of the American Legion, and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars...
--Janesville Daily Gazette, April 5, 1932.
Not to be confused with the politician (1831-1907) who represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district
Clinton C. Babbitt, 45, versatile radio entertainer, former Chautauqua star and a veteran of overseas service with the 91st Division, died at 11 p.m. Monday in Mercy hospital after an illness of only three days. Popularly known to his radio audience as "Neighbor Clint", director of the farm hour of station WCLO from the time of the station's opening Aug. 1, 1930 until May 1, 1931. Mr. Babbitt had a great many friends and admirers in Southern Wisconsin. Since going to Milwaukee last spring, he had been with John Hoffman and Sons company, appearing regularly in radio programs of the company over station WTMJ.
Mr. Babbitt had been in failing health since his war service, and was brought to the home of his sister, Mrs. Edward Bartz, route 7, last Friday. He was taken to the hospital at 2 p.m. Monday, and died late in the evening. His last appearance on the radio was at the noon hour program from WTMJ on April 1.
He was one of hte group associated with station WCLO here at its opening and during its first months the farm hour and other programs which he organized, directed and took part in became among the most popular features.
Mr. Babbitt was born Aug. 26, 1886, in Oregon, Wis., a son of Byron and Marion Dick Babbitt, and spent his early life at Evansville. He became interested in entertainment work as a boy and as a first venture studied ventriloquism.
For eight year after finishing his formal education in the Evansville high school and business college, he was foreman in a foundry of the Rock Island Plow company, Here he became a baseball pitcher with a plant team, attaining one of his youthful ambitions. His ability as a ball player soon found other openings for him, and for 12 years he was a pitcher for semi-professional independent teams.
With the opening of the World War, Mr. Babbitt enlisted in the 91st division at Rock Island, and saw service on two fronts. He was struck in one foot by a bullet while carrying dispatches, and later was gassed. After serving through the war, he was discharged Dec. 18, 1918, and came to Janesville to make his home with Mrs. Bartz.
After the war he joined a Chautauqua company and for seven years was a lecturer, novelty entertainer, ventriloquist, and superintendent of three larger Chautauqua companies.
He attained prominence as a lecturer in behalf of the Indians, having been adopted into the Blackfoot tribe of Montana and given the name of "Gray Wolf." Under this name he toured the nation lecturing for the cause of the Indians, and urging that their treatment be bettered.
Coming to WCLO when it was organized, Mr. Babbitt will be best remembered as the leader of the Muleskinners, radio old-time orchestra.
Survivors are one son, Marion, 19, a student at the University of Wisconsin, his mother, Mrs. Marian Babbitt, who for the past four weeks has been critically ill in Mercy hospital here; two sisters, Mrs. William Canniff and Mrs. Edward Bartz, both of route 7; and one nephew, Byron Bartz, Janesville. Mr. Babbitt was a nephew and namesake of Clinton Babbitt, once congressman representing this district in Wisconsin.
He was a member of the Janesville post of the American Legion, and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars...
--Janesville Daily Gazette, April 5, 1932.
Not to be confused with the politician (1831-1907) who represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district
Mr. Babbitt had been in failing health since his war service, and was brought to the home of his sister, Mrs. Edward Bartz, route 7, last Friday. He was taken to the hospital at 2 p.m. Monday, and died late in the evening. His last appearance on the radio was at the noon hour program from WTMJ on April 1.
He was one of hte group associated with station WCLO here at its opening and during its first months the farm hour and other programs which he organized, directed and took part in became among the most popular features.
Mr. Babbitt was born Aug. 26, 1886, in Oregon, Wis., a son of Byron and Marion Dick Babbitt, and spent his early life at Evansville. He became interested in entertainment work as a boy and as a first venture studied ventriloquism.
For eight year after finishing his formal education in the Evansville high school and business college, he was foreman in a foundry of the Rock Island Plow company, Here he became a baseball pitcher with a plant team, attaining one of his youthful ambitions. His ability as a ball player soon found other openings for him, and for 12 years he was a pitcher for semi-professional independent teams.
With the opening of the World War, Mr. Babbitt enlisted in the 91st division at Rock Island, and saw service on two fronts. He was struck in one foot by a bullet while carrying dispatches, and later was gassed. After serving through the war, he was discharged Dec. 18, 1918, and came to Janesville to make his home with Mrs. Bartz.
After the war he joined a Chautauqua company and for seven years was a lecturer, novelty entertainer, ventriloquist, and superintendent of three larger Chautauqua companies.
He attained prominence as a lecturer in behalf of the Indians, having been adopted into the Blackfoot tribe of Montana and given the name of "Gray Wolf." Under this name he toured the nation lecturing for the cause of the Indians, and urging that their treatment be bettered.
Coming to WCLO when it was organized, Mr. Babbitt will be best remembered as the leader of the Muleskinners, radio old-time orchestra.
Survivors are one son, Marion, 19, a student at the University of Wisconsin, his mother, Mrs. Marian Babbitt, who for the past four weeks has been critically ill in Mercy hospital here; two sisters, Mrs. William Canniff and Mrs. Edward Bartz, both of route 7; and one nephew, Byron Bartz, Janesville. Mr. Babbitt was a nephew and namesake of Clinton Babbitt, once congressman representing this district in Wisconsin.
He was a member of the Janesville post of the American Legion, and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars...
--Janesville Daily Gazette, April 5, 1932.
Not to be confused with the politician (1831-1907) who represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district
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