Yearly Archives: 2014

1956, Sheriff Recalls, Boy Learns His Lesson

Posted on by September 10, 2014

Sheriff Recalls

Boy Learns His Lesson

The prisoner who sneaked in and out of the Williamson County jail is remembered by Sheriff Carl Miller.

He was a 13 year old Herrin boy who weighed only 115 pounds. That enabled him to slip through a six inch hole in the cell door used for passing food trays back and forth.

On February 16, 1956, deputy sheriff Ora Collard was on duty in the front office about 2 A.M. He stopped a 15 year old Johnston City youth who was being held in the same cell with the Herrin boy as the youth tried to slip out the office door.

The youth said the cell door had been unlocked by the Herrin boy after he slipped through the opening and got keys from the kitchen. Continue reading →

Prater, Charles R., Jr. 1949-2014, Civic and Youth Sports Leader

Posted on by July 21, 2014

Charles Prater JrCharles R. Prater, Jr., active youth sports and civic leader, was born on January 3, 1949 in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of Charles R. Prater Sr. and Marcella (Gutek) Prater.

Early in the 1950’s, the Prater family moved to Marion and later purchased a home at 419 Charlotte Road. Charles’ father managed Sherman’s Department store on the square in Marion, while Charles Jr. attended Catholic seminary in his youth.

Charles was active in the Marion Jaycees, holding several local offices and participating in numerous community service projects held by the club in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  He was also a member of the Jaycees International Senate and served as the Nation Director of Jaycees of Illinois during that period. Continue reading →

Campbell, Lloyd C. 1874-1969, City Alderman, Banker & Businessman

Posted on by September 16, 2023

Campbell LCLloyd Cregg Campbell, city alderman, businessman, banker and civic leader, was born in Marion, Illinois on October 16, 1874. He was the son of J.M. Campbell, grocer, and Mollie Eubanks Campbell. The father was born in Kentucky from which he came to Marion when a boy and married. L. C. Campbell was the first child of three.

The 1880 census captured the Campbell family living in Marion. Lloyd was 6 years old and had one sibling, a brother, W. H., who was 8 months old. Lloyd’s father, J.M. was 30 years old and working as an office clerk, his mother, M.L., was 28. There was an 81 year old female named M.E. Askew living with the family.

Lloyd’s early education and training was in Marion schools and he was a graduate of the Marion Township High School class of 1892. After graduation, entered the general merchandise store of Burkhart & Binkley where he sold goods for two months. He then entered the First National Bank, on the square in Marion, as bookkeeper in September, 1892, where he acquitted himself so well that after three years he was elected assistant cashier. Continue reading →