James L. Adams was born in Dickson County, Tennessee on February 8, 1836 and came with his parents to Randolph County, Illinois, when but three years old. His parents were John Adams (1811 – 1855) and Martha Kennedy (1812 – 1900), who were natives of Caswell County, North Carolina but came to Tennessee while young and married there. Continue reading
Category Archives: Civil
Hartwell Hendrickson, Civil War veteran, clerk of the circuit court, alderman, postmaster and native of the county was born December 2, 1848, the son of Jesse Hendrickson (1822-1898) and Martha Ann Lewis (1823-1895), both natives of Tennessee. Jesse and Martha came to Franklin County, Illinois about 1830 where he served for many years as a Methodist preacher. Continue reading
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
William N. Mitchell was the paternal ancestor of a long line of prominent citizens, he served as Williamson County Clerk, Marion Postmaster, was the fourth and last person to serve as President of an incorporated Marion Board of Trustees before Marion started using the Mayoral form in 1874 and he helped organize and ran on the first ever Republican ticket in Williamson County, not to mention his involvement in the first Republican county newspaper. Continue reading
Logan’s Regimental Flag Taken to Illinois Capitol
Battle Torn Emblem of the 31st Illinois Unearthed Among Possessions of 14-year-old Private
Marion, Ill. — The old battle torn regimental flag carried by Gen. John A. Logan and his valiant 31st Illinois Regiment through the Civil War was uncovered here a few days ago and will be placed in the Logan Memorial Hall in Illinois capitol. J.M. Young delivered it at Springfield Monday night. Continue reading