Category Archives: Government

Marion City government, its officials, departments and buildings.

Marion Post Office History (MDR 1960 Article)

Posted on by September 18, 2023

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The following appeared in a June 1960 Marion Daily Republican article and is as published.

Marion Post Office Was Closed during Civil War

Postmaster Closed Office and Moved to Bainbridge for Protection

(by John Wayne Allison)

Marion and Williamson County were a long way from the active battlefields of the Civil War 99 years ago. Still, the war had its unique effects on the community and its citizens.

Research in the annals of time have brought forth the relationship of Marion and Bainbridge now an extinct community living only in the pages of history, came to the rescue of Marion during a crisis in postal service in the year 1861. In fact, Bainbridge can be regarded as the parent stock for all of Williamson County as well as being the first community in the county to have postal service established.

The records show that Bainbridge was situated in Section 16 of West Marion Township. It is difficult to visualize buffalo trails as the main route of transportation in the area and that Indian camps dotted the landscape. This picture was presented of the territory here prior to the pushing of the nation westward. Bainbridge became the natural spot for settlers to pick out in 1813. The location was near the edge of Phelps Prairie, where one of the trails from the Fort Massac to Kaskaskia was situated. Even George Rogers Clark passed this way in July of 1783 on his way to Fort Kaskaskia.

It was only natural that a trading post should spring up at a place where such important trails carried the commerce of the day. This was the main route from Jonesboro to West Frankfort. A post road was established by 1839. In later years, Bainbridge was only 15 miles by stage line from Frankfort. Continue reading →

Prater, Charles R., Jr. 1949-2014, Civic and Youth Sports Leader

Posted on by July 21, 2014

Charles Prater JrCharles R. Prater, Jr., active youth sports and civic leader, was born on January 3, 1949 in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of Charles R. Prater Sr. and Marcella (Gutek) Prater.

Early in the 1950’s, the Prater family moved to Marion and later purchased a home at 419 Charlotte Road. Charles’ father managed Sherman’s Department store on the square in Marion, while Charles Jr. attended Catholic seminary in his youth.

Charles was active in the Marion Jaycees, holding several local offices and participating in numerous community service projects held by the club in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  He was also a member of the Jaycees International Senate and served as the Nation Director of Jaycees of Illinois during that period. Continue reading →

Campbell, Lloyd C. 1874-1969, City Alderman, Banker & Businessman

Posted on by September 16, 2023

Campbell LCLloyd Cregg Campbell, city alderman, businessman, banker and civic leader, was born in Marion, Illinois on October 16, 1874. He was the son of J.M. Campbell, grocer, and Mollie Eubanks Campbell. The father was born in Kentucky from which he came to Marion when a boy and married. L. C. Campbell was the first child of three.

The 1880 census captured the Campbell family living in Marion. Lloyd was 6 years old and had one sibling, a brother, W. H., who was 8 months old. Lloyd’s father, J.M. was 30 years old and working as an office clerk, his mother, M.L., was 28. There was an 81 year old female named M.E. Askew living with the family.

Lloyd’s early education and training was in Marion schools and he was a graduate of the Marion Township High School class of 1892. After graduation, entered the general merchandise store of Burkhart & Binkley where he sold goods for two months. He then entered the First National Bank, on the square in Marion, as bookkeeper in September, 1892, where he acquitted himself so well that after three years he was elected assistant cashier. 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 →

1924, Marion Has a Beautiful Park

Posted on by July 13, 2014

Marion Has a Beautiful Park

Large Sixteen Acre Plot at Garfield and DeYoung May be Developed

Marion, the city of Opportunity now has a park of sixteen acres expanse, set with scores of beautiful shade trees and located in one of the most beautiful and accessible parts of the city. That may sound startling but it’s nothing new. For twelve years, sixteen acres of ground donated to the city for a city park, has lain idle. With the arrival of summer, many public spirited citizens have become aware of the fact that the city park which people have been desiring has been here all the time, and an attempt is being made to arouse enough interest in the venture to develop the park. Continue reading →