George Benton Calhoun, Mayor of Marion in 1913 & 1914 and Williamson County Circuit Clerk, was born May 19, 1875 in Johnson County, the son of Thomas Hayes (1831-1894) and Mary Jane Elizabeth (Robinson) Calhoun (1837-1877. His siblings were: Martha Alice Calhoun, William M. Calhoun, James A. Calhoun, Sarah Francis Calhoun, Susan Calhoun, Charles R. Calhoun, Jacob Jefferson Calhoun and Thomas J. Calhoun. Continue reading
Category Archives: Related
1877, News Clippings, January thru June
See also, 1877, News Clippings, July thru December
____________________ January, 1877 ______________________
4 Jan – The Governor denied pardon for Sam Music. MM
We learn from W.M. Wilhelms that scarlet fever is raging in Vienna. John Hartly lost 3 children last week (only ones he had.) KM
8 or 10 years ago a man and wife in company with a young woman made an appearance in Spring settlement, a few miles west of this place … stopped at residence of Mr. Stanfield and remained for some time … went to DuQuoin where the young woman gave birth to a child…the couple returned to the settlement with the child and made arrangements with a man named “Check” Overturf to keep it until called for Continue reading
I have been doing double duty by adding to this site as well as rebuilding a new permanent website for the Williamson County Historical Society. One of the history pages that I have been working on is a compilation of all of the cities, villages, ghost towns, post offices and various historical points of interest within the county. Keep checking on this link to the county website as it will be filling out over time.
The old county jail at 105 S. Van Buren Street in Marion was built in 1913 and served 16 sheriff’s terms and housed most of their families. When a new county jail was built and occupied in the early 1970’s the old jail was handed over to the Williamson County Historical Society for safe keeping. It has since been converted into a county museum and genealogical/historical research library. The following link will bring up a description of the museum with some photos. If you haven’t been to the museum, you should make it a point to take your family, most of the possessions on display came from old Williamson County pioneer families.
Marion, Illinois became an incorporated city in 1874 with a mayoral system of government. Joseph W. Hartwell became the first mayor elected to the town in 1874. Later he served in several positions in the city and county government: County Treasurer, 1865; Circuit Clerk 1868-1872; and States Attorney 1875-1880. In a special election for states attorney in June 1875, he was “an able young lawyer and a man of courage.” He was elected to the vacancy left by State’ Attorney, J. D. F. Jennings, who had left the county after embezzling $927 from the school fund and was the father of Al Jennings, Joseph W. was then elected to a full term. He also served on the state Board of Equalization in Springfield and U. S. Special Pension Examiner in Fulton, Kentucky. Continue reading
