Lester Harold Farner was born on a farm in Southern Township on December 7, 1911 to Charles Farner and Lillie Huffstutler. He first appears in the 1920 federal census with his parents at the age of 8 on a rented farm in Southern Township. His father Charles was a 38 year-old farmer, his mother Lillian was 26 and he had one sister Emma E. aged 4.

By the 1930 census, his family was living in West Marion Township in a rented home while his father worked as a coal miner. Rent on the home was $5 per month, yet the family owned a radio set. Harold was 18 and had two sisters in the home, Emma E. 14 and Lillian M. aged 9.

On June 12, 1933, Harold married Elizabeth Mae Franklin in Vienna, Illinois. Elizabeth was born April 22, 1915 in O’Fallon to Marion Franklin and Tabitha Praher.

In the 1940 census, Harold and Mae had already moved into a home that they would remain in at 1005 W. Prairie St. in Marion which they valued at $300. Harold was listed as unable to work while Mae had a job working in a W.P.A. (Public Works project) sewing room. She claimed $352 of income for the previous year. At the time, the couple had two daughters in the home, Madeline 6 and Patricia 4. Harold stated that his level of education was 3 years of high school while Mae had finished 2 years of high school. In earlier days, many highs schools only required 2 or 3 years to finish high school.

Later in 1940, the same year as the census, when Harold filled out his WWII draft record, he was 28 years old and employed by the W.P.A. on a public works project constructing Crab Orchard Lake. He was physically described as 5’ 10’, 150 lbs., blues eyes, brown hair and a light complexion. It was noted that he had a tattoo on his right arm, a heart with the initials H.F. (presumably, his initials).

In 1944, an article appeared in the Marion Weekly Leader that listed all of the men who had been selected for potential draft into the Army and Harold’s name was on it. It is likely that due to his marriage and family, he was not selected.

In 1947, Harold was elected to his first public office as city commissioner under Mayor Harry R. Rodd. He would serve this term out until 1951.

In 1949, Harold and his wife Mae began running Farner’s Court Street Market located at 803 S. Court St. where they sold groceries and meats. He and his wife operated this business until they closed it in 1963.

When the 1950 census was taken, 38 year-old Harold and 35 year old Mae were in their home on Prairie Street. Children in the home were Madeline 16, Patricia 14 and son, Charles F. aged 7. Harold listed his employment as manager of his grocery store working a 60 hour week, while Mae listed her job as clerk at their grocery store working a 40 hour week. Of course, Harold was also city commissioner at this time.

When Harold’s first term as city commissioner ran out in 1951, he was re-elected and served as Finance Commissioner under Mayor William Shannon until 1955. During this administration, the city was fighting illegal gambling issues and passed a resolution to stop the use of gambling devices and enforce gambling laws. The Marion Memorial Hospital was built during this administration in 1951 and dedicated in 1953.

In 1952, Harold was considered as a Republican alternate delegate to the state Republican convention.

When his term expired as city commissioner in 1955, Harold ran for Mayor against the incumbent William Shannon, City Street Commissioner Robert Cooksey and Public Works Commissioner Adolph Fluck. Robert Cooksey ended up winning the mayoral race. Having lost that election, Harold ran for commissioner again in 1959 and was re-elected under second term Mayor Robert Cooksey. Harold served as Water Department Commissioner until the end of his term in 1963.

In the 1962 county elections, Harold won the bid for Williamson County Treasurer and served in that position until the end of his term in 1966, when he ran for and won the bid as Williamson County Sheriff. He served as Sheriff until the end of this term in 1970. Farner was proud of the fact that his great great grandfather, Joel Huffstutler, served as Williamson County Sheriff from 1846 until 1850.

Harold’s wife, Mae, passed away at the age of 58 in Marion Memorial Hospital on October 20, 1973. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Second Baptist Church. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery. She was preceded in death by a son Jerry Eugene and two brothers.

Harold died at the age of 86 in the Marion Memorial Hospital on March 8, 1998. He was a member of the National Sheriff’s Association, Fellowship Lodge 89, A.F.A.M., Marion Lodge 100 of the Royal Arch Masons, the David Herrin Lodge 1036 Oddfellows, Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois of Belleville, Ainad Temple of East St. Louis and the Second Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, infant son Jerry Eugene Farner, and infant sister Betty Farner.

He was survived by his son, Charles Terry “Butch” Farner and his wife Carol Farner of Marion;  two daughters and one son-in-law, Madeline and Bill Cloud of Marion and Patricia L. Farner of Marion.

Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Sources: Federal census records, WWII Draft records, Marion Weekly Leader, Southern Illinoisan, Johnson County Marriage records, Marion Street Directories, Marion City Cemetery records. Compiled by Sam Lattuca on 7/20/2024)