Category Archives: County

Williamson County Related

1956, Sheriff Recalls, Boy Learns His Lesson

Posted on by September 10, 2014

Sheriff Recalls

Boy Learns His Lesson

The prisoner who sneaked in and out of the Williamson County jail is remembered by Sheriff Carl Miller.

He was a 13 year old Herrin boy who weighed only 115 pounds. That enabled him to slip through a six inch hole in the cell door used for passing food trays back and forth.

On February 16, 1956, deputy sheriff Ora Collard was on duty in the front office about 2 A.M. He stopped a 15 year old Johnston City youth who was being held in the same cell with the Herrin boy as the youth tried to slip out the office door.

The youth said the cell door had been unlocked by the Herrin boy after he slipped through the opening and got keys from the kitchen. Continue reading →

Jones, Henry C. 1853-1949, Commissioner, Postmaster & County Clerk

Posted on by July 13, 2014

Henry C. Jones, Marion City Commissioner and Postmaster, was born November 3, 1853 near Creal Springs in Williamson County, Illinois to John S. and Sarah F. (Powers) Jones. He secured such education as farm boys generally get in the district schools and followed the plow until 25 years ago.

Henry’s marriage took place while he was living on the farm, February 13, 1871. His wife was Miss Mary J. Bower, daughter of William J. and Elizabeth J. (McInturff) Bower, who farmed near Crab Orchard. Mary J. Bower was born in Christian County, Kentucky on January 4, 1852. Continue reading →

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 →