J. H. Siekman came to Marion June 1, 1913, to serve as Principal of Brown’s Business College. The school was located on the main floor of the Masonic building located on the southeast corner of West Main and Monroe Streets (315 W. Main St.) in Marion. The owners, R. H. Peck and H. E. Reed of St. Louis later praised Siekman’s ability as an executive saying that in two years’ time he had built up the school more than 300%.

Mr. Siekman was born and educated in Bingham, Illinois, but gained his experience as a teacher and executive in St. Louis and with Brown’s Business College at other points.

Brown’s Business College was an educational institution that did much for the young people of southern Illinois. In 1916, it was said that, “Its equipment is not only modern, and embraces every invention of business colleges, but the comforts of heat, ventilation, and sanitary arrangements are perfect. The management cares for the welfare of its students, and turns out not only gentlemen and ladies; but students, who have been successful in railroad, industrial and other business offices all over this country. The student is not only taught necessary subjects for a business education; but he or she is especially taught how to apply that training. The Principals and teaching force in these colleges, which have gained name and fame in many states of the Union, are specialists in their respective lines. The Marion College stands second to none on the list. It has, on more than one occasion, been complimented from its St. Louis headquarters for its enviable record.”

Clara Boatright moved to Marion from E. St. Louis to teach at Brown’s Business College in 1914. She later became Principal until she resigned in 1936 to become a private tutor.

For a brief interim the college occupied a two-story brick and stucco building on the Southeast corner of North Van Buren and West Jefferson. Then it was moved to the second floor of the Kimmel Building on the northeast corner of North Market and East Union Streets (209 N. Market St.). H. N. “Hap” Norman was Principal of Brown’s Business College at this time. This building was destroyed by fire on December 17, 1963, and the college which was still owned by J. H. Siekman of Centralia was never reopened.

Mr. Siekman led in the organization of Marion’s Business Efficiency League in 1916, and was elected its first president. Oldham Paisley was selected secretary. With twenty-two local businessmen participating at the first meeting, a committee consisting of W. O. Paisley, chairman; E. B. Jackson, and W. S. Charles was appointed to draft a set of by-laws. The topic of discussion for the second meeting was to be “general advertising” with R. O. Clarida in charge.

Professor Siekman was appointed Williamson County Food Administrator in February 1918. He stated that those businesses refusing to sell cereal substitutes with wheat flour would have their supplies cut off for a fixed period without further notice.

(Written by Mary Lou Roberts and published in 1989 Sesquicentennial History, Edited with addresses only by Sam Lattuca)