 Clarence Chesterfield Howerton was born on February 9 , 1913 , in Salem , Oregon , to Frank and Helen Howerton . He had five brothers , all of whom grew to 6 ft ( 1 @.@ 83 m ) tall . However , Howerton grew to a height of only 2 ft 4 in ( 0 @.@ 71 m ) . An expert said that he might have a " deranged <unk> gland " . Howerton 's mother was just over 4 ft 0 in ( 1 @.@ 22 m ) tall , which led some to wonder if his small stature was inherited . 
