Category Archives: V to W

Marion’s Prominent Citizens V and W

Westbrook, James W. 1855-1907, Mayor 1893-94

Posted on by June 6, 2014

James William “Willie” Westbrook, the first President of the First National Bank and two term Marion Mayor, was born in Gallatin County, Illinois.  On January 26, 1855 his father, Francis M. Westbrook married Paulina Lafferty and on November 8, 1855, gave birth to their first child, James William.

In January 1857, his family moved to Marion and on the following July his father rented a building off of Samuel Dunaway at 116 E. Main St. on the corner of Madison Street and opened a general store. Continue reading →

Whitcomb, Charles H. 1890-1969, Mayor & County Commissioner

Posted on by May 30, 2018

Whitcomb, Herb 1967Charles Herbert “Herb” Whitcomb, mayor of Marion from 1931-1935 during the heart of the depression and two term County Commissioner, was born April 22, 1890 in Paducah, Kentucky to Charles Herbert Whitcomb, Sr. (1860-1896) and Mary Elizabeth Stanley (1863-1932). Continue reading →

Wilson, James V. “Cuss” 1905-1977

Posted on by February 17, 2014

Virgil Cuss Wilson 1905-1977James Virgil “Cuss” Wilson, former Marion High School basketball coach, teacher, district athletic director and co-owner of TVW Men’s Store, was born in Pope County at Dixon Springs on March 19, 1905, and was the son of the late Oral Moody Wilson (1868-1945) and Esther Lois Culbreth (1870-1951).

The name of “Cuss”, by which Wilson was known much better than by his given name, was given him by playmates when he was a very small boy. It originated from a youngster’s attempt at pronunciation of a name that sounded like “Cuss” to the other children, although some of his early playmates sometimes used the full name of “Custer.” Continue reading →

West, Jackie D. 1946-2013, Vietnam Veteran

Posted on by January 21, 2014

Jackie D West 1946-2013Jackie Dean West was born on October 23, 1946 in Herrin to Dean West and Vada Newton. Jack’s father, Dean West, served as Williamson County Sheriff from 1958-1962.

He was a graduate of Marion High School in the class of 1965 along with his sister, Judy, and was on the MHS football team all four years.

Jack was in the United States Navy and served two tours in Vietnam and was a lifetime member of the Marion VFW. Continue reading →

Whitacre, Cleta 1914-2006

Posted on by December 2, 2013

Cleta Whitacre 1914-2006Cleta Whitacre was born on March 27, 1914, in Herrin, the daughter of Rolla Franklin and Gertrude Delia (Walker) Greer.

She was united in marriage to Thomas Earl Whitacre on December 30, 1933, in a secret ceremony at a Methodist parsonage in Jonesboro, Illinois. The marriage had to be kept secret because in those days it was forbidden for women teachers to marry. Together they shared nearly 37 years of marriage until his death came on May 16, 1970. Continue reading →