Edward Lawrence Corder was born in Crab Orchard Township on September 20, 1904, to Jeremiah (Jerry) M. Corder and Mary Etta Ferrell. When the 1910 federal census was taken the family was found living on a farm on Marion Road in Crab Orchard Township which they owned free of mortgage. Jerry 37 and Mary Etta 36 reported that they had birthed 7 children and 6 of them were living in the home at the time. The children in the home were Charles 14, Ray 9, Vollie 7, Lawrence 5, Troy 3 and James 1.
Ten years later in the 1920 census, the farming family appear to be still living in the same location. 46 year-old Jerry and Mary Etta still had 4 children living with them. The children were Vollie 17, Edward Lawrence 15, Troy 14 and James 10.
On June 23, 1923, Lawrence married Wreathel Lyons in Harrisburg, Illinois. She was born July 2, 1905 in Pittsburg to William Lyons and Emma Turnage.
News from Dykersburg written up in the Marion Weekly Leader in 1929 indicated that Lawrence had chickens stolen from his property there.
In the 1930 census, Lawrence 25 and Wreathel 24 were living in Paulton village, Crab Orchard Township. They were renting a home and owned a radio. Two children listed were Lawrence Jr. 5 and Billy G. aged 3. Lawrence was listed as a coal miner and it was noted that Lawrence was 18 and Wreathel was 17 when married.
An article in the paper from 1933 indicated that Charles F. Corder (his brother) bought the coal mine formerly operated by Lawrence Corder on E.E. Ensminger’s farm.
The 1940 census found Lawrence 35 and Wreathel 34 living near Absher in Crab Orchard Township in a rental home in which they were paying $8 per month. Lawrence was working a 40 hour work week at the Delta Coal Company as a coal miner while Wreathel worked for the coal company as a housekeeper in the company office. Lawrence had worked 46 weeks out of the year 1939 in which he earned $1,600. It was noted that Lawrence and Wreathel had both completed an 8th grade education.
When Lawrence filled out his WWII draft record he was 37 and gave Paulton, Illinois as a residential address. He listed the Delta Coal Company as his employer. He was physically described as 5’ 8”, 165 lbs., with grey eyes, black hair and a light complexion.
In 1943, when his mother died, it was noted in the paper that the funeral was held at Lawrence’s home in Crab Orchard.
Apparently, Lawrence and Wrethel moved into Marion shortly after this, because an article in the local paper in 1946 noted that Lawrence was serving as treasurer of the Coal Belt Aerie 2451, F.O.E. (Eagles club).
By 1947, the Corders had moved into a house at 505 S. Calumet St. and in August of that year they separated. Divorce proceedings were initiated by Wreathel in that month and the divorce was granted in September 1947. No alimony was sought and the children were not an issue since they were both over 20 years old at the time.
Two years later, Lawrence married a second time to widowed Juanita Tabor Smoot on April 29, 1949 in Piggot, Arkansas. Juanita was born in Mr. Vernon on February 5, 1917 to John Tabor and Dulcie Jones. She previously had married and had children with Charles Smoot who passed away in 1945.
When the 1950 census was taken, Lawrence 45 and Juanita 33 were living at 113 S. First St. in Marion. Lawrence was a power shovel oiler for the Delta Coal Company. The couple had two of Juanita’s sons from her marriage with Charles Smoot living in the home. They were Michael Smoot 7 and Charles Smoot Jr. aged 4. Lawrence noted that he was working a 56 hour week at the time.
When Lawrence was a candidate for city commissioner in the 1955 city election, it was noted that he was a power shovel oiler for the Delta strip mine S.E. of Marion. In the election, Lawrence won and became public health and safety commissioner under Mayor Robert Cooksey. In his capacity, he served as police & fire commissioner as well. A photo is attached that shows himself and members of the street department and police destroying illegal alcohol confiscated from two men in Marion.
A skirmish arose in the city council in 1955 which centered around whether policemen had to buy their own uniforms or whether they had to pay for them their selves. It was determined that the policemen would pay for them their selves.
An article appeared in the Southern Illinoisan in June of 1957 revealing that Lawrence’s car had been stolen by juveniles which took the car to Alto Pass and burglarized a gas station, then attempted to break into a grocery store and rob it. The juveniles were caught and the car returned to Lawrence.
A problem arose in February 1958, with a little more than a year left in Lawrence’s term as commissioner when he chose to move from his home at 113 1st Street in Marion and purchase a home on Route 37 north of town across from the Rolling View tavern (this would be past Cedar Grove). It was pointed out that if he moved out of Marion city limits, he could no longer be a commissioner, so he resigned in that month. The city council at first chose to just let the term run out but then in May, appointed Harvey Dungey to fill out the remainder of his term to March 1959.
In the same month of May 1958, Lawrence was overwhelmingly elected as a lifetime member of the Coal Belt Fire Protection Association for his work done as commissioner to help fire fighters.
Lawrence’s life in politics wasn’t completely satisfied apparently because he ran on the primary in 1969 for Republican Precinct committeeman for East Marion but lost in the general election.
One story was provided by the Southern Illinoisan in 1975, indicating that while Juanita Corder was walking around the public square a young man grabbed her purse and ran off. Coincidentally an off duty M.P. chased the man and caught him on E. Marion Street. Unfortunately, when hauling him back to the square to the police department, he tripped and it gave the young man a chance to escape. Juanita’s purse however was saved.
Lawrence Corder passed away on November 12, 1988 at Marion Memorial Hospital. At the time of his death he was living at 1109 E. Carter Street. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Marion, the BPOE Elks Club, Marion Masonic Lodge 89, A.F. & A.M., the Shriners of E. St. Louis and Marion and the United Mine Workers of America Local 8041.
Survivors were his wife Juanita, one son Dr. E. Lawrence Corder of Murphysboro, two stepsons, Michael Smoot of Elmhurst and Charles Smoot of Marion; one brother Vollie Corder of Marion; 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
One son, one daughter, four brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.
Lawrence’s first wife, Wreathel Lyons, went on to remarry as well to Eli Summers, she died on March 17, 1985 at the Marion Memorial Hospital as Wreathel Summers.
Lawrence’s second wife, Juanita passed away on April 14, 1993 at the Marion Memorial Hospital and was buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.
Notes on children:
Dr. Edward Lawrence Corder Jr., born October 10, 1924 in Crab Orchard, attended SIU and graduated in 1949 then taught at Marion High School. Received M.D. Degree in 1960 and began practice in Marion. Passed away on February 22, 2010. Burial was in Coal Bank Springs Cemetery.
William G. “Bill” Corder, born November 28, 1926, worked for over 30 years in Marion as car salesman for J.C. Ford Chevrolet-Cadillac and then E.N. Baker Chevrolet. WWII veteran served in the Navy and stationed in the Philippines. Died December 25, 1986 in the V.A. hospital in Marion. Burial in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.
(Sources: Federal Census records, WWII Draft records, marriage records, Marion Street directories, Marion Weekly Leader, Marion Daily Republican, Southern Illinoisan, Marion City cemetery records. Compiled by Sam Lattuca on 8/9/2024)