Washburn, James M. 1826-1910, State Legislator

James M Washburn 1826-1910The following article is an extract taken from the 1905 Souvenir History of Williamson County detailing the life of Judge James M. Washburn and is followed by collected data. Washburn was a Marion merchant, State Representative, Assistant Secretary of State, Master In Chancery, Attorney, member of the State Agriculture Board and one of the founders of the Egyptian Press newspaper. Continue reading

Woodley, Mark 1873-1958

Mark Woodley 1873-1958Mark Woodley Jr. was born December 24, 1873 at Dipton, Durham County, England, and was the son of Mark Woodley Sr. and Maria (Williams) Woodley and was partially educated in England

In early January 1886, Mark aged 12, his parents, then in their mid-40’s, and his 3 year old sister Florence boarded the steamship “Indiana” in Liverpool and arrived in the port of Philadelphia on January 29th. The family made their way to the coal fields of northern Illinois and located at Coal City southwest of Cook County. Mark completed his education in this area while his father worked the coal mines. Continue reading

Boyt, Bobby D. 1939-2007, Boyt Accounting Service

Bob BoytBobby D. “Bob” Boyt was born April 2, 1939 in Marion to Jack Boyt and Amy Haesker Barnett. He married Emily Sue Bishop on September 19, 1998.

Bob graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in accounting.

He worked for GTE for 25 years. He was a priesthood member of the Community of Christ Church for 35 years and a member of the Marion Rotary Club and Paradise Alley Players. Continue reading