Category Archives: Government

Marion City government, its officials, departments and buildings.

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 →

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 →

Phillips, William H. 1846-1913, Alderman, Wagon maker, Civil War Vet

Posted on by July 1, 2014

William Harper Phillips, Marion alderman, wagon maker, implement dealer and Confederate officer, was born in Clarksville, Mecklenburg County, Virginia in July 1846.  He was the son of Robert Allen Phillips (1816-1879) and Caroline Leneve (1825) who married in Mecklenburg County December 21, 1840. 

In the 1860 census, William’s father, Robert, was a 43 year old wheelwright with real estate valued at $490.  His mother, Caroline, was 38 years old.  Everyone in the family was born in Virginia and they were living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia near Clarksville.  William was 14 years old, living with his parents and four siblings:  Rosalie, Mary, Martha, and Pauline. Loney A. Yancey, 18, may be a relative or an indentured servant and was attending school; James Wiles, 17, an apprentice wheelwright, was also living with the family.  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 →