Thomas Joseph Redickas was born April 11, 1927 in Chicago to Charles V. and Mabel M. (Harvey) Redickas. His father, Charles, was a Lithuanian immigrant and his mother, Mabel, was born in Illinois to full blooded Irish immigrants.
In the 1930 census, Tom was three years old. His parents were renting a home at 5629 Elizabeth St. in Chicago and paying $40 per month for rent. His father was a typesetter at a printing shop. Continue reading
William L. Harris was born August 30, 1923 in Marion, the son of Oscar Robert Harris (1896-1980) and Estelle (Murphy) Harris (1898-1948). William was politically active on the city, county and state levels of government in addition to being a businessman. Continue reading
With the 1980 Republican presidential nominations looming, Ronald and Nancy Reagan visited Marion on January 10, 1980. They arrived at Williamson County Airport at 5 p.m., held a brief conference and continued on to the Marion Ban Dor Inn for a fund raising dinner followed by a rally held at the Marion Civic Center, culminating at 8:45 p.m. after which the Reagan’s boarded their plane and returned to Los Angeles.
Reagan, of course, got the nomination and won the presidential bid, defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter, becoming our 40th president. The Marion Daily Republican article covering the event is as follows. Continue reading
Dr. Lorin L. Fowler was born in Lake Creek Township in Williamson County on January 4, 1877, the son of physician James Madison Fowler (1848-1911) and Sidney Hendrickson (1853-1930). Continue reading
Robert W. Duncan, age 92, lifelong resident of Marion, IL except for the time he served in the Navy, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at his home.
He was born in Marion on Monday, December 20, 1920, the son of Absalom Wesley and Nellie Mae (Drake) Duncan. Continue reading