Fred A. Jewell was born in Worthington in 1875. He left home at sixteen and became a performer, composer, and bandmaster for several circuses, including Ringling Brothers from 1902 to 1904 and in 1907, and Barnum and Bailey from 1908 to 1910. He brought his publishing company to Worthington in 1923 and died in 1936. Nationally recognized as "Indiana's March King," he composed many marches that are still performed.