Marion Illinois History Preservation

Fabian Alvis Nance was born on March 10, 1861 in Mayfield, Kentucky to William Peyton Nance and Martha Ann Eaker. According to the book “Historical Souvenir of Williamson County” published in 1905, one article stated that William P. Nance was a minister with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and moved from Kentucky to Jackson County, Illinois in 1867 and moved to Williamson County in 1869. Another historical source in regard to the M.E. Church, South in Marion stated, “In 1870, Reverend W. P. Nance came as pastor, and through his untiring efforts and energy, the church purchased for $1 a lot on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Liberty Streets”, thus helping kick start the Marion M.E. churches beginnings.

Joseph Henry Moss was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on October 6, 1855. He attained his education in the public schools of that city and attended Normal Illinois University at Normal, Illinois. In the 1870 federal census, Joseph was 16 years old and found living in the home of Sarah A. Smith, 35 along with his brother James R. Moss aged 18 in Lovington, Moultrie County, Illinois.