Category Archives: All Marion Content

All content related to Marion Illinois

Erwin, Milo 1847-1894 alias Mark M. Stanly

Posted on by December 8, 2013

Milo Erwin 1847-1894Milo Erwin was born October 24, 1847 near the village of Crab Orchard, six miles east of Marion. This area had been settled by people from North Carolina, among them a Revolutionary War ancestor of Milo Erwin.

Milo Erwin was the son of Robert P. and Eliza (Furlong) Erwin. Robert P. and his brother-in-law, James M. Furlong, built a steam mill for both grist and lumber at Crab Orchard in 1854; this was the county’s second mill. It was in the center of town and had no doors. Folks who had no desire to pay for grist found it easy to take what they wanted at night; thus the village was nick-named “Steal Easy.” Continue reading →

1876, “The History of Williamson County”, by Milo Erwin

Posted on by February 9, 2014

Bloody VendettaMilo Erwin was 29 years old when he wrote “The History of Williamson County, Illinois” in 1876. Our country was 100 years old and Williamson County was 37 years old. The Bloody Vendetta was scarcely over and many wounds, no doubt, were fresh. His book had 283 pages and only 123 were used to tell that story; the remaining pages told the history of our county from formation to 1876. Many pages were used to tell of his admiration of the hardy stock that settled here and shaped the history of Williamson County. Continue reading →

1914 Marion Illinois Merchant Credit Ratings

Posted on by March 2, 2014

This report was published in 1914 by R.G. Dun (later to be Dun & Bradstreet). It is titled “Merchants, Tradesman and Manufacturers Financial Condition for Marion, Illinois 1914.” The report lists over 250 Marion merchants and tradesman for that year. If known, it lists their financial strength and gives a credit rating. This guide would have been used to judge whether a businessman would qualify for credit and reflects their financial strength. Continue reading →

1913, Marion, Illinois “Opportunity City”

Posted on by July 25, 2018

The Marion Development Co. was formed in 1913 by progressive Marion Business and professional men, and was the community’s Chamber of Commerce of that day. It continued until July, 1916 when World War I which had enveloped Europe was threatening to involve the United States, and preparedness in this country was taking first place in demands upon the public’s thinking and investment capital. Continue reading →

Spiller, William J. 1833-1923

Posted on by April 25, 2024

William J Spiller 1833-1923
William J Spiller 1833-1923
William J Spiller 1833-1923

William Jackson Spiller was born at the old Spiller home north of Marion on October 4, 1833, when Williamson was a part of Franklin County. He was the son of Elijah Nicholson Spiller (1803-1867) and Elizabeth Powell (1810-xxxx), both representing prominent pioneer families in Illinois and was raised on a farm at Spillertown where he and his wife lived, worked and raised their family of fourteen children. Continue reading →