Marion Steam Marble Works was inaugurated on September, 1903, several minor establishments being absorbed and a corporation formed with $10,000 capital.
They began work in 1904 and had under contract and in preparation about $5,000 worth of work to be delivered in the spring of 1904. They employed about five hands steadily at that time.
The well-known Attorney and Master in Chancery, William O. Potter, by a late purchase of the stock held by Charles A. Gent, became sole owner and manager of the plant in 1904. Gent’s share was originally purchased in 1903 by W.F. Wright, alderman of the Fourth Ward (NE Marion) in 1904.
Their location was on North Granite Street near the crossing of the Illinois Central and C. & E. I. railroads, with shipping facilities at both. Their principal building was of wood, 75×40 feet, which contained the offices, the cutting and polishing room, and a full equipment of machinery and tools, consisting of engine and boilers, air compressor, air pump and a complete outfit of pneumatic tools.
Another building, 25×40, was devoted to storage and the cutting and dressing of lime-stone bases, which were obtained from the Romona Oolitic Stone Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. They executed all kinds of granite and marble work and keep six salesmen employed.
Their primary business was in the making of marble and granite monuments and it’s likely that any grave markers or monuments purchased in Marion Illinois from 1903 to 1925 were made by this company.
Those involved were in 1904 were, Charles A. Gent, President; T. V. Williams, Vice-President and Foreman of shop: F. C. Turner and J. T. Cash, marble cutters; Albert E. Sanders, Salesman; Albert T. Lam, Teamster; William O. Potter, Supt. and General Manager.
The Marble Works monument company was originally located on N. Granite near where it crossed the IC and C & EI tracks, when that street actually existed many years ago. By 1922, the company had relocated and were occupying 608 thru 612 N. Madison Street next to the IC tracks and across Madison from the water plant area.
The Marble Works Company was sold in 1909 to E.M. Thurmond who had just moved to Marion from Franklin County. In 1920, E.M Thurmond sold his interest to his son G. Ralph Thurmond and the business became E.M. Thurmond & Sons Monument Company. Later, the name was reduced to Thurmond Monument and was moved to 608-612 N. Van Buren St. where it remained until 1965, by the early 1970’s it had moved North on Rt 37 where it folded.
(Data from 1905 Souvenir History, WCHS; Marion City Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 04/08/2013)