1914 Marion Illinois Merchant Credit Ratings

This report was published in 1914 by R.G. Dun (later to be Dun & Bradstreet). It is titled “Merchants, Tradesman and Manufacturers Financial Condition for Marion, Illinois 1914.” The report lists over 250 Marion merchants and tradesman for that year. If known, it lists their financial strength and gives a credit rating. This guide would have been used to judge whether a businessman would qualify for credit and reflects their financial strength. Continue reading

Bradley, Robert D. 1924-2013, The Insurance House

Bob Bradley 1924-2013Robert Donald Bradley was born August 4, 1924, in Effingham, Illinois, to Esther and Arnold Bradley. While in school, he took the last name of his stepfather, Earl Burnett, and used his own middle name Donald and was known as Don Burnett.

After his high school graduation, he joined the US Navy and served on the tanker ship US Platt in the South Pacific until World War II ended. Continue reading

2006, Marion’s Funeral Home History

The worthwhile accomplishments of some groups seem forgotten to history because no one has been interested enough to record their many good deeds done on a daily basis. So it is with our funeral professionals. These dedicated people have been right alongside us as Marion has grown from a small pioneer settlement into the City of which we are so proud today. But their hard work and acts of humanity toward their fellow man have been little noticed and seldom reported. Continue reading

Hudson, Dr. Theodore 1850-1931, Dr.’s Hudson and Hudson

Dr. Theodore Hudson was born August 12, 1850 in Pennsylvania, the son of Dr. and Mrs. John Atchinson Hudson. He was the oldest of three children, his brother, Dr. George Hudson of Canton, Iowa having died at the home of Dr. Theodore Hudson of Marion, and his older brother, Joseph Hudson, a farmer who lived south of Marion, the father of Georgia and Ruth Hudson. Continue reading

2013, November 16, Fire at Jackson Grey Insurance Co.

Jackson and Gray Ins fire on 11_16_2013  SThe cause of a Saturday fire that heavily damaged the Jackson & Grey Insurance Company building at 413 N. Market Street in Marion remains under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office and Marion Fire Department.

No injuries were reported from the blaze, which took about 2 1/2 hours to put out. Marion firefighters were assisted by other local departments. Continue reading