Cline, Albert L. 1851-1922

Cline ALIn 1850, the Cline family packed up and moved From Allen County, Kentucky to Williamson County, settling in Crab Orchard Township east of Marion, Illinois. Albert Cline’s father was Thomas Jefferson Cline, who followed farming and died in 1897. His mother’s name was Sarilda Jane Absher, known to many Marion citizens in her days as “Grandma Cline”. Continue reading

Holland, Brice 1844-1922, Union Sailor and Confederate Soldier

Brice Holland

Brice Holland

It isn’t often you run across an individual who actually fought in the Civil War on both sides, but this appears to be one of them. Although there some disparities in dates and locations, that exist between his obituary and actual records, this man lead an interesting life.

Brice Holland was born on January 29, 1842, in Monongalia County, Palestine, W. Virginia, the son of Jacob Holland and Emily J. Tarleton, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. His mother passed away in 1857. Continue reading

Motel Marion

There is always a certain amount of irony in life. During the depression of the 1930’s, many Marion citizens were forced to leave the area in search of jobs so they could feed their family. That fact, coupled with a loss of income and savings by many when banks closed, forced a number of families out of their homes. This culminated in over 400 Marion homes being demolished or moved and many more vacated. Continue reading

Bracy, Harry W. 1887-1975, H.W. Bracy Co.

Harry W Bracy 1887-1975Harry Willis Bracy was born in Marion on September 16, 1887, the son of Abner E. Bracy and Florence Crain.  His father, who was a Marion merchant for many years, died in 1935 and his mother died in 1961.

In the 1900 census, Harry, aged 12, was living with his parental family in their home at 604 S. Market Street. His father was a merchant that operated a retail store on the square. His siblings were, Charles Bracy aged 14, Reba 10, Leon 8 and Ralph 4. Continue reading