Elwood Haynes is the resident that made Jay County famous. An inventor ahead of his time, Elwood designed one of the world's first cars. A mural honoring his innovation can be see in downtown Portland.
Cleveland Browns player, two-time NFL champion, and superstar coach Darrell Brewster hailed from Portland, Indiana. The football field at East Jay Middle School was dedicated in Brewster's name to honor his outstanding athletic ability.
Jack Imel is an American singer, dancer, musician, and television producer who is best known for his work on The Lawrence Welk Show. In Jack's hometown of Portland, Indiana, Jack Imel Boulevard is named in his honor.
We are pleased to add Twyla Tharp to our growing list of celebrities from Jay County. An accomplished dancer and choreographer, Twyla was born in Portland and was first introduced to dancing in Jay County.
Born as Kenneth Dollins at Portland, IN. on September 8th, 1901, MacDonald was an American film actor.
One of Portland’s most accomplished residents in the sport of national harness horse racing is Jerry Landess. He has won nearly 2000 horse races, and the horses that he has driven have won over 2 million dollars.
Hailing from Portland, IN., where she grew up, White-Arnold went on to become an Olympic Athlete. White-Arnold was a member of the U.S. Archery Team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Jay County’s very own NASA astronaut, Kevin A. Ford was born at Portland in 1960.
One of Jay County’s most prominent political figures includes James, who was born at Portland, IN. on February 10th, 1910.
An American film and television actor that was born Harry Wycoff on January 20th, 1902 in Portland, IN.
Jay County’s own natural resource conservationist, Glasgow was born in Portland, IN.
Venture capitalist and former Wall Street securities analyst, Meeker was born in 1959 at Portland, IN.
Born as Thaman Pierce Daily on May 5th, 1911 at Portland, Indiana, he was an American swing music, Dixieland jazz cornetist and valve trombonist.
An early prominent figure of Jay County, Shanks was a well-known lawyer and earned the rank of Colonel during the American Civil War.
A Jay County native and pro-Athletics Coach, Williams was born January 27th, 1947. He is a retired American WABA and WNBA basketball coach, and most recently was head coach of the women’s basketball program at Rice University in Houston, Texas..
