Grant, Wendell L. 1893-1980, School Principal and WWI Vet

Wendell Leon Grant was born in Lake Creek Township in Williamson County, on January 26, 1893 to farmer Elijah Lodge Grant (1863-1943) and Sarah Ella O’Neal Grant (1867-1961). Leon Grant spent 54 years of his lengthy life in public service to his community and to his country serving in WWI and also as teacher and principle of the Washington School and principle of the Marion Junior High School. Continue reading

1875, Gunfight on the Marion Public Square

James Bishop Morray was born in Kentucky in 1821. Due to the early deaths of his mother and father, he was raised by an uncle, William Bishop, in Pope County, Illinois. While still a young man he returned to his home state of Kentucky to work for William Wyatt, eventually marrying his daughter, Izzarilda Wyatt in 1842.

In 1844, the Morray and Wyatt families moved to Illinois, purchasing several parcels of land in Creal Springs and Stonefort Townships. During the 1860’s and 1870’s James became the largest landowner in Johnson County, eventually owning thousands of acres in Johnson and Williamson Counties. Continue reading

Rodd, Dee L. 1921-1980, DFC Recipient, Veteran of WWII and Korea

Dee L Rodd 1921-1980Dee Larue Rodd, who resided at 1904 W. Warren Street in Marion, was born September 17, 1921 in Cambria, Illinois to the late Leonard Rodd and Kate Lipe Rodd.

A graduate of Marion High School in the Class of 1939, he attended Southern Illinois University from 1939-1942 and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Flight School in late 1942.

He was married October 11, 1943 to the former Ruth Anne Bowman in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruth was born October 7, 1925 to Virgil W. Bowman and Gladys Butts.

Rodd served in World War II and the Korean War as a combat pilot. A squadron leader, he flew 50 missions over Korea. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals, among several decorations. He left the Navy with the rank of Commander. Continue reading

Soldiers of 1776 Buried In Williamson County

Philip T. Russell GraveSoldiers of 1776 Buried in County

More than a score of men who served in the Continental Army in the American Revolution lie buried in Williamson County, where they came to live after the war, forming a link between their adopted state and county and the nationwide Bicentennial celebration in 1976.

In rural cemeteries scattered throughout the county are the graves of these soldiers of 200 years ago, some of them marked with stone tablets allocated by the government, some of them not located by the painstaking search by persons engaged in efforts to pay them eternal tribute. Continue reading