Phillips, William H. 1846-1913, Alderman, Wagon maker, Civil War Vet

William Harper Phillips, Marion alderman, wagon maker, implement dealer and Confederate officer, was born in Clarksville, Mecklenburg County, Virginia in July 1846.  He was the son of Robert Allen Phillips (1816-1879) and Caroline Leneve (1825) who married in Mecklenburg County December 21, 1840. 

In the 1860 census, William’s father, Robert, was a 43 year old wheelwright with real estate valued at $490.  His mother, Caroline, was 38 years old.  Everyone in the family was born in Virginia and they were living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia near Clarksville.  William was 14 years old, living with his parents and four siblings:  Rosalie, Mary, Martha, and Pauline. Loney A. Yancey, 18, may be a relative or an indentured servant and was attending school; James Wiles, 17, an apprentice wheelwright, was also living with the family.  Continue reading

Evans, Dr. George W. 1848-1913, Alderman and Medical Doctor

George William Evans was the son of William Spratley Evans, M.D.  (1808-1904) and Martha Ann Moore (xxx-1924). He was born October 1, 1848 in Logan County, Kentucky. 

His father William S. Evans was the son of Benjamin Moseley Evans, a tailor of Murphysboro, North Carolina and was born July 18, 1808 in Southampton County, Virginia. His first wife was Mary J. Moore. They lived first in Henry County, Missouri and after three to five years they moved to Ashley, Washington County, Ill.  Two years later they moved to Marion, Illinois.  He graduated from Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati and studied under Dr. Beach of New York. He began his practice of medicine in 1846.  He was nearly 70 when he quit practicing medicine.  He was also a licensed preacher from an early age in Virginia. William Spratley Evans died on April 26, 1904. Continue reading

Holland, Caleb T. 1845-1924, Alderman & Civil War Vet, Duncan and Holland Lumber

Caleb Tarleton Holland was born Jul 28, 1845 in White Day, Virginia (West Virginia after the 1860’s) to Jacob Holland (1816-1875) and Emily Tarleton (1819-1857).   Jake was born in Morgantown, West Virginia and died in Harrisburg, Illinois. 

Caleb’s parents, Jacob and Emily, were married in Monongalia County, West Virginia Dec 6, 1837.  They had six children: Mollie, Cordelia (1840), Brice (1842-1922), Caleb, Romulus D. “Tobe” (1847), Evaline (1849) all born in West Virginia. Emily died in 1857 and Jake remarried to Sophronia Bogus (1825) in Virginia. They had five children:  Lucien (1859), Bruce (1861), Idella (1863), Guy (1865) and Zera (1868). Continue reading

Duncan, James H. 1840-1901, Merchant, Alderman, Sheriff, J.H. Duncan & Co., Duncan House

Duncan James HJames Hartwell Duncan, five term Marion alderman, three term county sheriff and Marion merchant, was born in 1840, the son of George W. Duncan (1817-1878) and Rosey A. Henson (1812-xxxx). James appears to have favored his middle name of Hartwell.

In the 1850 census, his parents, George and Rosey, had 7 children, 10 years of age and under: James H., 10; Mary A. and Nancy J., twins, 8; Elizabeth F., 6; Viola, 5.; Narcissa, 2; and George W., who was only a few months old. They were living in Williamson County, Illinois. Continue reading