Wendell Leon Grant was born in Lake Creek Township in Williamson County, on January 26, 1893 to farmer Elijah Lodge Grant (1863-1943) and Sarah Ella O’Neal Grant (1867-1961). Leon Grant spent 54 years of his lengthy life in public service to his community and to his country serving in WWI and also as teacher and principle of the Washington School and principle of the Marion Junior High School. Continue reading
Category Archives: Marion Jr High
Wilbern Boatright was born on September 12, 1912, in Galatia, Saline County, to Mack Boatright (1872-1951) and Cora Jane Blackburn (1875-1945).
When the 1920 federal census was taken, Wilbern’s parental family was living in Brushy, Saline County, on a farm owned by his parents. His parents were then in their 40’s and his father was farming for a living. Wilbern was aged 7 and had four brothers living at home. Brother Roy was 19 and teaching public school, Lloyd was 17 and a farm laborer, Leman was 14, attending school, and Walter was 2. Continue reading
With Marion’s eighth grade boys basketball ream experiencing such a fine year in 2007, it is only fitting that we reflect back to a year long ago when Marion won the State Championship.
The year was 1944; it was a single class system back then. The Sectional Tournament in 1944 was held in DuQuoin. Continue reading
In 1855, a four room frame building in the 200 Block of West Jefferson Street, was more than adequate for the city’s needs. This facility was called the “Washington Combined School” building Continue reading
The first free school in Marion was organized in 1956 immediately following the legislative enactment of 1853 which provided for the maintenance of schools by public taxation. Prior to this, from 1836, subscription schools of varying degrees of excellence were maintained at irregular intervals. Continue reading