Cartoonist, chiropractor, auctioneer,
lawyer/judge selected for HOF induction

The Carrollton High School (CHS) Alumni Association recently released the names of four CHS graduates selected for induction into the Distiuished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Those selected for induction include:
Duane Abel, class of 1998; Dr. James Hogsed, class of 1963; Charles “Chuck” Johnston, class of 1969 (inducted postumously) and William “Bill”Newell, class of 1980.
The banquet and induction ceremony are scheduled May 12 at 6 p.m. in the commons area at Carrollton High /Middle School.
Prior inductees and alumni are encouraged to attend. Tours of the building will be conducted at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the commons with induction ceremonies to follow in the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Please RSVP by purchasing tickets from any Alumni Foundation board member or by calling board member Rhonda Cogan at (330) 627-5802 or Susan Cogan at 330-627-2804.
Duane A. Abel
Duane A. Abel attended Carrollton Schools for 13 years.
Following his graduation in 1998, he attended the University of Akron. He was a recipient of the Sharon A. Hollinger Memorial Scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 2002.
While at CHS, Abel won several tournaments as a member of the Speech & Drama Team. He was a three-year state qualifier and placed tenth in the nation at the Wake Forest National Tournament.
His appearances in stage productions included Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” when CHS became the first high school in the nation granted performance rights, leading to Abel receiving the title, “Heart of the Team” his senior year.
As a student at Bell-Herron Middle School, Abel began his cartooning career at the age of 13 and became the nation’s youngest syndicated cartoonist at the age of 15.
Abel created the comic Strip, “ZED,” which has appeared in 50 newspapers spanning 25 states, for over 26 years. He has been a presenter at “Draw Your Destiny” assemblies for over 10 years, and a playwright/screenwriter for more than five years.
In 2008, Abel was an Ignatz Award nominee as “outstanding comic.” He hosted the TV show, “Cartooning with Duane,” for Tusco TV. He has written a children’s book. “Bowlers” and “Jelly Jars,” a play that is available through Silver Birchington for worldwide performances; and has acted in “Christmas Collision,” a feature film that is available on Amazon. In 2022, with United Front Films, Abel filmed a romantic comedy, “Papermill Pond Romance,” in Carroll County.
Nominated by Jeannie Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz, Abel became a member of the The National Cartoonists Society. He was endorsed as a speaker by the Charles M. Schultz Museum, Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools, and the Mazza Museum of Children’s Literature. He is a founding member of the “CAST” community theater organization.
He was nominated by his wife, Coral.

“Duane has dedicated his life to bringing laughter, joy and love to the world with his comic strip, ‘ZED’, which has found its way into the hearts of readers for over 25 years,” she wrote, noting Garfield creator Jim Davis calls it “a comic strip with a ton of heart.”
“But it is Duane’s work (with) ‘Draw Your Destiny’ that should merit consideration,” she wrote. ‘Draw Your Destiny’ showcases the importance of goal setting, power of literacy and importance of education … to students all over the country. With nothing except an easel and a marker, Duane has captivated, motivated and encouraged over 500,000 students, spanning 1,000 schools in 46 states with an in-person assembly that educator Linda Mullins called ‘the best assembly I have ever seen in over 30 years of education.’”
The Abels have two children, Zack and Clayton, and live in Minerva.
Dr. James Hogsed
Dr. James Hogsed attended Carrollton Schools for 11 years and graduated in 1963.
While living in Carrollton, Hogsed was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Sea Explorer. He was a Canton Repository carrier and worked as a lifeguard at Billy B Beach. He entertained at sidewalk sale events in the village and performed comedy routines at Rotary Club shows and Sweet Adeline events, and was a co-announcer with the late Bill Shepherd for the Carrollton Sesquicentennial celebration.
In high school, Hogsed was a member of the Spanish Club, Debate Team, FTA, Chorale, Boys Glee Club, and co-founder of the Radio Club. He took private voice lessons with the late Neva Locker and performed in the junior and senior class plays. He was an athletic trainer for the varsity basketball and football teams and a manager for the track and field team. He was on the first non-interscholastic golf team, coached by the late Rusty Bright. He co-founded the first low-wattage inter-school radio station at CHS, and was a fill-in announcer for WJER, the AM station in New Philadelphia.
Hogsed attended Malone University, where he was a member of the Spanish Club and a reporter for the student newspaper, The Aviso, which gave him the opportunity to interview the future President of the United States, Richard Nixon.
He served as Junior Class President and was elected president of the Men’s Residence Halls in his senior year.
Following his graduation from Malone in 1967, Hogsed completed 30 semester hours in Human Biology at National Health Services University. He was awarded a scholarship from Family Service Association to study individual psychotherapy at Tulane University, graduating with an MSW degree in 1972. He was awarded a VA Trainee of the Year scholarship from the New Orleans VA Hospital and then attended Cleveland University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1977.
His accreditations include a Basic Science Certificate from South Dakota School of Medicine, Diplomate from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Diplomate from the American Academy of Pain Management, where he was one of the first chiropractors to pass multi-disciplinary exams, and the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture. He was previously licensed to practice in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, and Florida.
During his two years in the U.S. Army, Hogsed served with the 4th Infantry Division in An Khe, Vietnam, where he worked in the emergency room for incoming wounded in a mobile medical “MASH” unit and provided mental health counseling. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in October 1970, while stationed in An Khe.
He later worked in the 935th Medical Unit at Long Binh and received the “Soldier of the Month” award for outstanding service. His exposure to Agent Orange has left him with severe neurological disorders.
Hogsed has been a member of chiropractic associations in several states and is a founder of the San Antonio Caduceus Society. He was an adjunct professor at Texas Chiropractic College from 1983-1992, an instructor in Social Science at Walsh University in Canton, a consultant for several organizations in Texas and Florida and served as the chiropractic physician for the San Antonio Dodgers minor league team in 1985-1986.
He was twice voted as “Chiropractor of the Year” in Texas and in 2021, was the “Quilts of Honor” recipient for his military service in Vietnam.
Hogsed appeared on television shows hosted by Bob Richards in New York City and a “Health Report” with Larry King and was Director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness under President Ronald Reagan.
After noting Hogsed’s numerous awards, honors, military service and accreditations, Larry Starr added, “I would like to add maybe what is even more important. And that is how Dr. James Hogsed touched and affected so many lives in so many venues and so many locations. Because when it is all said and done, it matters what we have accomplished but also who we served in our lives. … The Carrollton School Alumni Association should be very proud to call him a Distinguished Warrior!”
Hogsed and his wife, Barbra, live in Venice, FL. and are the parents of three sons.
William F. Newell
William F. Newell attended Carrollton Schools for 12 years, graduating from high school in 1980.
As a student at CHS, Newell served on student council his freshman year, was elected vice president of his sophomore class, was elected FFA president in his senior year and played baseball for four years.
He graduated from Missouri Auction School in 1988 and received his real estate license from Kent State University in 1989.
He was a dairy farmer for 15 years and has been an auctioneer, real estate agent and appraiser for 33 years. In addition, he served on the Carroll County SWCD Board for six years and the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board for four years.
He has been a volunteer auctioneer for the junior fair auction for more than 20 years, and a volunteer auctioneer for Hospice Benefit Auctions.
He was presented with a service award for volunteer work by the Carroll County 4-H.
Newell is a member and has served as trustee and elder of Christ Community Church.
In nominating Newell, Susan Cogan noted his “integrity, character, moral ethics, trust, service to others and faith in God.”
She wrote, “His life portrays his strong faith, love of family and community, and is an outstanding example of a life well-lived while continuing the legacy of his late father, Robert C. Newell.”
Mr. Newell and his wife, Barbara, reside in Carroll County and are the parents of three children and grandparents of seven grandchildren.
The late Judge Charles A. Johnston
Charles A. Johnston – more commonly known as “Chuck” – attended Carrollton Schools for 12 years and graduated from Carrollton High School in 1969.
He graduated from Westminster College with a bachelor’s degree in History in 1973. He then attended Ohio Northern College of Law, graduating with a law degree in 1976, and was admitted to practice law in Ohio in 1977.
Judge Johnston served as a part-time judge of the Carroll County Court from 1983 to 2007, while maintaining private law practices with Judge William Allmon from 1977 to 1985 and with Attorney Kathleen Stoneman from 1985 to 1990. He opened and maintained his own private practice from 1990 to 2007, when he died from a brain aneurysm.
Johnston was an active participant in the community. He served as an elder and Sunday School teacher at the First Presbyterian Church in Carrollton, was the announcer for high school band shows, supported local 4-H clubs, and held numerous speaking engagements to support local programs and community growth. In addition, he chose to join the Ohio Donor Society, giving the gift of life to others.
In addition to serving as County Court judge for 24 years, Johnston was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Sixth District. He was the recipient of a Superior Judicial Award from the Ohio Supreme Court for outstanding judicial service and was a trustee for the Association of Municipal and County Court Judges of Ohio.
In his nomination, Fred Barnett, Jr. noted that “Charles A. Johnston served our community in so many ways to make it a better and safer place to live.”
Johnston and his wife, Beth, had one daughter, Alexis.