The Eagle Machine and Repair Shop was located at 103 S. Court Street which put it a half block south of the old four way stop (W. Main and Court Street/ Rt 37) on the east side. Today, in 2013, it would be in the SW corner of the parking lot for the Family Video business.

The shop was run by Joseph W. Willeford and according to his directory listing in 1906 and 1907 he specialized in machining, watchmaking and watch and machine repairs.

The attached photo came from the 1905 Souvenir History book and was likely taken in 1904. Even though I could not turn up Willeford in census records, I got a pretty good track on him from directories.

Joseph had a watchmaking and machine shop in Peoria, Illinois from at least 1887 to 1897. He then started showing up here in turn of the century directories and returned back to Peoria directories in 1916. Based on this I have to guess that Willeford moved here from Peoria and had a business in Marion from about 1900 up to about 1915 and then returned to Peoria.

Note the large clock on the front of the building.

(Data from Marion and Peoria, Illinois City Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 04/09/2013)