James C. Kroner
James Kroner was born Sept. 3 1921 and grew up in the town of Mahomet. He graduated from Mahomet High School in 1939 and was the class salutatorian. He also lettered in Basketball and Track (as a high jumper).
After he graduated from Mahomet High School, he went on to the University of Illinois and in 1943 earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry. He was the first Mahomet High School graduate to be named to the Bronze Tablet at the University of Illinois.
In June of 1943, James was recruited by the U.S. Government to begin working on the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago. He was then transferred to Oak Ridge, Tennessee in January, 1944. For 2 years he researched and studied Uranium and Plutonium isotopes and developed ways to isolate them so they could be usable. This work was critical in the development of the atomic bomb.
In July of 1945, James was one of 67 scientists working on the Manhattan Project to sign a petition that was sent to President Truman that read in part, “we recommend that before this weapon be used without restriction in the present conflict, its powers should be adequately described and demonstrated, and the Japanese nation should be given the opportunity to consider the consequences or further refusal to surrender. We feel this course of action will heighten the effectiveness of the weapon in this war and will be of tremendous effect in the prevention of future wars.” The rest is history.
In 1946, James left his position with the U.S. Government and relocated to Indianapolis. Here he worked on acetylene research for Union Carbide and Lindy Air Products.
In 1948, James returned to Chicago and worked for the Armour Research Foundation. He did research for the American Petroleum Institute.
In 1951, James, returned to Mahomet and started a career as a grain farmer for over thirty years.
James married Naomi Hillman on June 3rd, 1945. He is the father of long time News-Gazette sports writer and Mahomet-Seymour graduate, Fred Kroner.
James died on June 20th 2014.
After he graduated from Mahomet High School, he went on to the University of Illinois and in 1943 earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry. He was the first Mahomet High School graduate to be named to the Bronze Tablet at the University of Illinois.
In June of 1943, James was recruited by the U.S. Government to begin working on the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago. He was then transferred to Oak Ridge, Tennessee in January, 1944. For 2 years he researched and studied Uranium and Plutonium isotopes and developed ways to isolate them so they could be usable. This work was critical in the development of the atomic bomb.
In July of 1945, James was one of 67 scientists working on the Manhattan Project to sign a petition that was sent to President Truman that read in part, “we recommend that before this weapon be used without restriction in the present conflict, its powers should be adequately described and demonstrated, and the Japanese nation should be given the opportunity to consider the consequences or further refusal to surrender. We feel this course of action will heighten the effectiveness of the weapon in this war and will be of tremendous effect in the prevention of future wars.” The rest is history.
In 1946, James left his position with the U.S. Government and relocated to Indianapolis. Here he worked on acetylene research for Union Carbide and Lindy Air Products.
In 1948, James returned to Chicago and worked for the Armour Research Foundation. He did research for the American Petroleum Institute.
In 1951, James, returned to Mahomet and started a career as a grain farmer for over thirty years.
James married Naomi Hillman on June 3rd, 1945. He is the father of long time News-Gazette sports writer and Mahomet-Seymour graduate, Fred Kroner.
James died on June 20th 2014.