Category Archives: Related

Williamson County Related Topics

Scates, Walter B. 1808-1886, Circuit Court Judge

Posted on by July 11, 2014

Walter B. ScatesAlthough Walter B. Scates never resided in Marion he served as one of Williamson County’s first circuit court judges that resided over court in the small county clerk’s office on the public square in Marion before the first court house was ever built. He also helped form not only the statutes of Illinois but was responsible for the passage of legislation allowing lawyer’s to have access to their clients in jail.

Walter B. Scates was born on January 18, 1808 in South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia, and when but a child his parents removed to Tennessee, and soon after to Christian County, Kentucky. He was the son of Joseph W. Scates (1775-1842) and Elizabeth Eggleston Bennett (1774-1849). His brothers and sisters were:  William Bennett (1802 – 1882), Harriet Fields (1804 – 1855), Joseph W., Jr. (1805 – 1856), Elizabeth Eggleston (1810 – 1860), Isaac Coleman (1812 – 1854) and John Tyler Scates (1814 – 1888). Continue reading →

Rice, Jeremiah S. 1820-19xx, Marion Trustee

Posted on by July 4, 2014

Jeremiah Rice was a pioneer farmer of Southern Illinois, a carpenter and served on the first board of trustees for the city of Marion where his children were born, but before they grew to maturity he moved to Dunklin county, Missouri, to live out his years.

Jeremiah S. “Jerry” Rice was born in November of 1820 in Tennessee. 

He married Susan A. Sanders on September 9, 1840 in Williamson County, Illinois.  Continue reading →

Ensminger, John A. 1827-1908, Marion Constable, Alderman & Civil War Vet

Posted on by June 30, 2014

John A. Ensminger was born at Equality in Gallatin County, Illinois, on October 11, 1827 near the salt works. His father was Emanuel Ensminger, who was born in 1777 and died in 1832. His mother was Catherine Davenport, born about 1787. The Ensminger’s were early pioneers to Gallatin County and hardy stock, established by the fact that his father, Emanuel, walked 100 miles and back, to Vincennes, Ind., for a license to marry his wife, which he secured and the couple were united at Shawneetown. Continue reading →

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

Posted on by June 23, 2014

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 →

Stewart, James H. 1827-1902, Marion Trustee & County Treasurer

Posted on by September 21, 2023

James Holiday Stewart, Marion trustee and Williamson County treasurer, was born on December 28, 1827 in the Northern Precinct of Williamson County, Illinois, the son of James S. Stewart (1773-1834) and Rachel Salina Roberts (1787-1875).  They lived just south of … Continue reading →