Robert Pershing Wadlow

February 22, 1918 – July 15, 1940

"Alton's Gentle Giant"

Robert & His father Harold, Statue of Robert in Alton
Statue of Robert's Chair, Tombstone of Robert Wadlow

In 1985, a life-size bronze statue of Wadlow by Ned Giberson was erected at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Illinois.

Harold Franklin Wadlow was born November 8, 1892 in Jersey County , Illinois the son of Sherman Sylvester and Nettie Delight White Wadlow. He married Addie Johnson on June 3, 1917. Their son Robert was born on February 22, 1918 .The 1920 census finds the family living in Quarry Town , Jersey, Illinois on main street. , By 1930 they were living in Wood River Township 3600 Gillham Ave., Alton, IL and Robert's sister Helen Ione, and Betty Jean and brother Eugene Harold were all born. Harold Franklin Wadlow Jr. was born in 1932. and passed away in the year 2000;

Robert P.Wadlow reached 8 feet 11.1 inches (2.72 m) in height and weighed 490 pounds (220 kg) at his death. His great size and his continued growth in adulthood was due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death. On July 4 1940 Wadlow was taken ill in Manistee, Michigan; while walking in a parade a brace had caused a blister and it became infected.. Doctors treated him with blood transfusions and emergency surgery but his fever got worse. On July 15 1940 he died in his sleep. He was buried in Alton on July 19.

Robert Pershing.Wadlow February 22, 1918 – July 15, 1940

Eugene Harold Wadlow 26 Apr 1922 - 24 Jul 1959

Betty Jean Wadlow Apr 27 1924 -

m/ Robert BRDE

Helen Ione Wadlow Feb 6, 1920

m/ Clelle Upchurch

Harold Franklin Wadlow II Aug 12, 1932

Parents

Harold Franklin Wadlow

Addie Johnson

Grandparents

Sherman Sylvester Wadlow Feb 4, 1866 - Jan 5,1953 & Nettie Delight White 1870-1942

buried Meadow Branch Cemetery, Jersey County, Illinois

Luther Melvin Johnson & Lillie Meyers

Great Grandparents

Elijah Franklin Wadlow Mar 23 1835 23 Mar 1918 & Eliza Ruth Legate1837

William Johnson & Nancy E.

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