Burress, Henry S., 1912-2022, WWII Veteran & Commissioner

Posted on by September 21, 2024
Henry Burress 1965
Henry Spurlin Burress, 1912-2002

Henry Spurlin Burress was born in Carterville on August 18, 1912 to Spurlin J. Burress and Rie Andrea Henry. Henry’s father was a coal miner and was likely working a local coal mine at the time. By the time the 1920 federal census was taken, his father, 28-year-old Spurlin had moved the family to live in Johnston City at 600 N. Water St. where he worked in another coal mine as an electrician. The family owned the home they lived in but it had a mortgage on it. There were two children in the home, Henry 7 and Juanita aged 1 year, 10 months.

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Joyner, Ron, 1947-2021, City Treasurer & Commissioner

Posted on by September 20, 2024
Ron Joyner 1965
Ron Joyner 1980

James Ronald Joyner was born on September 23, 1947 in Carbondale only due to the fact that Marion had no hospital at the time. His parents were Paul M. Joyner and Nita Jo Webb and in the 1950 census were living in Marion at 708 Circle Drive. His father, Paul, had inherited a family business that his father, James C., and two uncles had forged ca 1930 called Joyner Brothers. The business was a wholesale candy and tobacco distribution business located at 408 N. Van Buren Street in Marion.

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Joyner, Paul M., 1926-1972, WWII Vet, Wholesaler & Commissioner

Posted on by September 19, 2024
Paul M. .Joyner 1944
Paul M.. Joyner 1971

Paul Milan Joyner was born in Pittsburg, Illinois on October 25, 1926 to James Cecil Joyner and Lora Grace Allen. By the time the 1930 federal census was taken the family had moved to Marion and his father had gone into business that year with his brothers R.R. & W.B. Joyner to form the Joyner Brothers, Inc. The company was a wholesale business selling soda fountain supplies, candies, and tobacco. James, Lora and his family were then living at 500 E. Boulevard in a rental home that cost them $20 per month. Children in the home were Lavonia 10, Paul M. 3 and Edward aged 1.

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Durham, James W., 1934-2017, Veteran & Commissioner

Posted on by September 14, 2024
James W. \"Dubber\" Durham 1952
James W. \"Dubber\" Durham 1971

James William Durham, a.k.a. “Dubber” was born February 12, 1934 in Marion to Harold Durham and Sophia Galyean. When the 1940 federal census was taken, his family was living on Illinois Rt. 37 in a rental home that cost them $10 per month in rent. His father was working as a road laborer under the W.P.A and there were 3 children in the home, Virginia 8, James 6 and Robert 4. His father had only worked 18 weeks in the year 1939 and earned $190.

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Presson, Rex D., 1923-2003, WWII Vet, Engineer & Commissioner

Posted on by September 13, 2024
Rex D. Presson 1967
USS Raton

Rex Davis Presson was born in East Prairie, Missouri on October 28, 1923 to Leonard Presson and Eva H. Davis. His father appeared to be following work because by the time the 1930 federal census was taken the family had relocated to Sterling, Colorado and were living in a rental home paying $20 per month. Rex’s father, Leonard 35, was working as a commercial hide and fur buyer. The family at the time had four children, Rex D. 6, Elzeth 5, Ned A. 5 and Elizabeth June just born that year. All three of the youngest children were born in Colorado.

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