John William “Willie” Jones, beloved Marion citizen, active civic leader and the first black man to obtain membership in any Marion service club, was a native of Marion born on January 12, 1912 to William Jones and Mrs. Alice Crossland. Jones was hailed by Marion editor and news publisher, Oldham Paisley, as being a force of one in maintaining racial tension in Marion and promoting development of the black community. Continue reading
Category Archives: All Marion Content
Harry R. Rodd was born August 15, 1912 in DuQuoin to Roy Edgar Rodd (1880-1968) and Lela May Calvert (1886-1974). Harry’s father, Roy, was born on a farm in Williamson County in 1880 in the now defunct Western precinct that we know today as Blairsville Township in the northwest corner of the county. He spent most of his life living in Marion and worked as an insurance salesman. Continue reading
These early criminal case records from the 1850’s and 1860’s are from the Williamson County Circuit Clerk’s office, now housed at the Williamson County Historical Society. Related information to the cases was extracted from the book “The History of Williamson County Illinois” by Milo Erwin. Continue reading
A collection of news clippings from local papers in the period of 1913, July through December.
See also, 1913 Marion News Clippings, January – June. Continue reading
Marion Charges No License for Negro Tavern
Springfield, Ill., Oct. 5, 1951 – The Illinois Liquor Control Commission fired criticism today at the practice of the city of Marion which permits one Negro to operate a tavern without paying a license fee so Negroes would stay out of other taverns.
The Commission voiced its disapproval in an order directing the Marion Liquor Control Commission, Mayor William Shannon, to rescind the local license granted to John Willie Jones, a Negro. Continue reading