This home at 512 S. Market Street was built in 1893 by Manhiem Cantor for the sum of $5,000. Manhiem was a German immigrant and his family was prominent in Marion society. Manhiem served on the board of directors for two financial institutions in Marion and had a clothing business in the Benson building in the 1200 block of the Public Square. Manhiem and his wife Sarah raised two daughters in the home. They continuously employed domestic servants in the home up to his death in 1912.

By 1920, the house had switched hands to Harry Woods and his wife Beulah. Harry worked as a supervisor, first at the Ernest Coal Company, and then in the mid 1920’s was employed by the Cosgrove-Meehan Coal Company.  In 1928, Harry moved on and left the house occupied by J.B. Maginnis and his wife Nora.  J.B. was a mining engineer and was also employed at Cosgrove-Meehan Coal Company.

The Maginnis family didn’t occupy the home long because by 1930 it was owned by Clarence C. and Marie (Trevor) Cox. The couple had two sons while in the home named Thomas Cox and Gordon Cox.  

The Cox family occupied the home with Marie’s widowed mother Ora (Young) Trevor, daughter of Judge George W. Young.  Clarence and his brother Harry L. Cox operated Cox Hardware and Furniture at 907 Public Square. Clarence passed away in 1937. Marie Cox, her sons and mother Ora  appear to have held the home into the 1940’s.

In 1947, the home was occupied by Helen Bennett and Martin M. May. In the 1950’s and on, Dr. Martin May had a general practice medical office at 502 Public Square.  

In 1955, the house was occupied by Sam Ritchey and by 1965 the home was owned by William L. Harris and his wife Anna. William appears to be the longest owner of the home since it is still listed in his name to this day in 2013.  

Illinois businessman, Democratic Party leader and legislator, William L. Harris was born August 30, 1923 in Marion, Illinois. He attended Marion elementary, junior and high schools and graduated from the special management administrative school at the University of Chicago in 1956. At Swift and Company in Chicago, Harris attended a management and public relations school (1960-1965). His business experience includes positions as auditor, U.S. Civil Service Property and Materials Division at the Illinois Ordnance Plant in Marion (1941-1947); as regional sales manager for Swift and Company (1947-1970); and in the sales and marketing department of DuQuoin Packing Company (1970-1974). Harris had also been an instructor in junior colleges for sales and marketing.

From 1963 to 1967, he served on the Marion city council as head of the Department of Health and Public Safety, during which time he established the first state and federally approved landfill in the area. While serving as Williamson County Democratic Chairman, Harris was Public Administrator of Williamson County. In addition he has held the political positions of Democratic Party vice-chairman in the 24^th Congressional District; senatorial representative chairman in the 59^th legislative district; precinct committeeman in Marion; and vice-chairman of the State Democratic Chairmen’s Association.

Active in both political and community organizations, Harris has received a life-time membership in the State Jaycees; the merit award for leadership in government; the statewide VFW award for veterans’ legislation; the Outstanding Citizen award from the Woodmen of World Life Insurance Society; and the Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans award honoring America’s Distinguished, Outstanding and Notable Leaders. In 1990 he was appointed to serve on the Prisoner Review Board. A member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, Harris and his wife, Ann, had one son and reside in Marion. Harris, a licensed real estate broker, was president of the Harris Real Estate and Consultants, Ltd.

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(Data from Federal Census Records, Marion City Directories, 1905 Souvenir History, WCHS; Chronicling Illinois Website; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 03/14/2013)