Harris, Oscar, 1896-1980, City & County Commissioner

Posted on by September 12, 2024
1926 ad for Oscar Harris
Oscar Harris
Oscar Harris Election 1960

Oscar Harris was born on March 4, 1896 in Corinth to George Harris and Sarah Elizabeth Williams. When the 1900 federal census was taken the farming family was located on a rental farm in Northern Township (now called Corinth Township). Father, George, 29 and mother, Sarah 27, reported that they had birthed two children and both children were living with them. The children were Ola J. 6 and Oscar R. 3.

The same year of the 1900 census, Oscar’s mother, Sarah, passed away. Likely unable to handle the growing children, George lived separately and sent the children to live with their widowed grandfather Alisie Harris in Spillertown which is where they were found in the 1910 census. Alisie was 76 and living in a house that he owned free of mortgage. Oscar at that time was 13 and his older sister Ola was 16.

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Douglas, Andrew R., 1900-1975, Well Driller, Contractor & Commissioner

Posted on by August 30, 2024
Andrew R. \"Pat\" Douglas
Andrew R. \"Pat\" Douglas, 1959

Andrew Raymond “Pat” Douglas was born February 28, 1900 in Brookport, Illinois to Joseph Douglas and Evaline Owens. By the time the 1910 census was taken, the family had moved to Brushy Township in Saline County where they lived in a rented home and his father operated a store. In that census, Joseph 40 and Evaline 39 reported that they had birthed 9 children with 7 still living and all were present in the home including 10 year old Andrew.

In 1918 when Andrew registered for the WWII draft, he was 18 years old and reported living with his parental family at 906 N. Court Street while working in freight for the Rheinhart-Smith Wholesale Grocer Company in Marion. He was physically described as tall, with a medium build, blue eyes and brown hair.

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Ashley, Herbert R., 1899-1971, Civic & Boy Scout Leader

Posted on by August 24, 2024

Herbert R. Ashley, honored many times in Marion for his work with youth, was pronounced dead on arrival at Marion Memorial Hospital at 4:05 a.m. on August 25, 1971 after a heart attack.

Mr. Ashley, 71, of 304 S. Third St. was a Boy Scout leader for more than 40 years. He received the Silver Beaver award in 1945, the highest award to a scout leader. He also received the Scoutmasters Key and 40 year scout pin.

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Goodall Hotel Had History

Posted on by August 16, 2024

Many Famous Persons Had Stopped at Hotel which was Constructed in 1897

Among those driven from offices and business houses by the fire was George H. Goodall, who erected the hotel building in 1897, and whose name appeared in large brick letters on the front of the building. Altho no longer owner of the building, Mr. Goodall for many years had occupied an office on the basement floor.

The Goodall Hotel which for many years was the principal hotel in the vicinity had an interesting history. W.H. Crawford who from 1904 to 1928 was clerk in the hotel recalled that it had entertained numerous celebrities. Among them were William Jennings Bryan, Sam Jones the evangelist, Admiral Richmond P. Hobson of U.S. Navy fame, F.S. Peabody, one time president of the Peabody Coal Company, former Illinois Governor Richard P. Yates, Roald Amundsen, the artic explorer, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jess Williard, both at different times the world’s heavyweight champions, and many others.

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Yearack, Robert J., 1928-1983, Car Dealer & Commissioner

Posted on by August 14, 2024

Robert Joseph Yearack, a.k.a. as Bobby Joe or Bob, was born in Marion on July 22, 1928 to Frank Yearack and Rita Watson. Just a couple of years after his birth, in the 1930 federal census, his father Frank 29 and mother Rita 25 were living in a rental home at 707 N. McLaren Street in Marion paying $8 per month in rent. His father was working as a machine man for a coal mine. The parents had two sons in the home, Wayne 6 and Robert J. aged 1.

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