Farner, Harold, 1911-1998, Merchant, Sheriff, Treasurer & Commissioner

Posted on by July 27, 2024
Harold Farner
Farners Court Street Market
1005 W Prairie St

Lester Harold Farner was born on a farm in Southern Township on December 7, 1911 to Charles Farner and Lillie Huffstutler. He first appears in the 1920 federal census with his parents at the age of 8 on a rented farm in Southern Township. His father Charles was a 38 year-old farmer, his mother Lillian was 26 and he had one sister Emma E. aged 4.

By the 1930 census, his family was living in West Marion Township in a rented home while his father worked as a coal miner. Rent on the home was $5 per month, yet the family owned a radio set. Harold was 18 and had two sisters in the home, Emma E. 14 and Lillian M. aged 9.

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Stilley, Leslie C., 1904-2001, Teacher, Realtor & Commissioner

Posted on by July 19, 2024

Leslie Campbell Stilley, 97, went home to be with his Lord at 2 a.m. Monday, November 19, 2001 at Marion Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church in Marion. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Leslie Campbell Stilley was born on October 24, 1904 at the Stilley homestead east of Marion, the son of Monroe Stilley and Mary Emily “Mamie” Swafford. Leslie was united in marriage to Genevieve Atwood in West Frankfort on July 12, 1941. One daughter was born to this marriage in December 1943, Thelma Lynne Stilley.

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Pulley, Robert L., 1916-1982, Insurance Agent & Commissioner

Posted on by July 19, 2024
Robert Lee Pulley, 1934
Robert Lee Pulley
Josephine Harris Pulley
206 N. Bentley St

Robert Lee Pulley was born in Marion on July 2, 1916 to John R. Pulley and Anna H. Lee. When the 1920 federal census was taken Robert’s family were living at 715 N. Harper St. in Marion. His 39-year-old father, John R., was working for the Weber Candy Company located at 107 W. Calvert Street. The family owned the home they lived in free of mortgage. Children in the home at the time were Virgil 11, Robert L. 3 and Charles M. aged 1.

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Hodge, William R., 1887-1957, Merchant & Commissioner

Posted on by July 13, 2024

William Riley Hodge was born November 9, 1887 on a farm near Goreville in Johnson County to Alexander Hodge and Laura Belle Godwin. The 1900 federal census located the family living on a farm near Tunnel Hill, Illinois in Johnson County. Alexander 41 and Laura Belle 32 had six children living with them on the farm. The children were Myrtle 14, William R. 11, Oda L. 10, Norman E. 7, Grace L. 4 and Fredrick aged 1 month. Laura Belle reported that she had birthed 7 children and 6 were living, the ones present in the home. The farm they lived on was owned free of mortgage. When the 1910 census was taken the family was still farming in Elvira Township in Johnson County. Laura Belle had passed away in 1904 so a 47 year old, widowed Alexander continued farming and taking care of five children left in the home, William 21, Odie 19, Norman 17, Grace 14 and Raymond 9. William was working as a farm laborer helping his father on the farm.

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Marion Police Get First Radio Equipment

Posted on by July 12, 2024

Police Radio Units Arrive – Marion Weekly Leader, Feb. 1, 1945

Department will be Equipped with Two-way Communication

The first units of a two-way radio system for the Marion Police Department were on hand awaiting installation Tuesday.

When installed, the system will provide two-way communication between police headquarters and officers on patrol in the police car.

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