Category Archives: E-F

Marion Businesses E and F

Evans, Dr. George W. 1848-1913, Alderman and Medical Doctor

Posted on by June 29, 2014

George William Evans was the son of William Spratley Evans, M.D.  (1808-1904) and Martha Ann Moore (xxx-1924). He was born October 1, 1848 in Logan County, Kentucky. 

His father William S. Evans was the son of Benjamin Moseley Evans, a tailor of Murphysboro, North Carolina and was born July 18, 1808 in Southampton County, Virginia. His first wife was Mary J. Moore. They lived first in Henry County, Missouri and after three to five years they moved to Ashley, Washington County, Ill.  Two years later they moved to Marion, Illinois.  He graduated from Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati and studied under Dr. Beach of New York. He began his practice of medicine in 1846.  He was nearly 70 when he quit practicing medicine.  He was also a licensed preacher from an early age in Virginia. William Spratley Evans died on April 26, 1904. Continue reading →

Egyptian Powder Company

Posted on by February 17, 2014

Egyptian Powder Company
Egyptian Powder Company
Egyptian Powder Company
Egyptian Powder Company
Egyptian Powder Company

The Egyptian Powder Company was a post turn of the century business that was the first known to manufacture explosives in Southern Illinois. It cranked out kegs of blasting powder for local and national mines, employed as many as 70 people, became part of the Olin empire and was a downright dangerous place to work.

Though at this point in time, the original owners of the Egyptian Powder Company are unknown, it is known that the company started producing blasting powder for coal mine operation in 1904. An article found in the March 12th, 1904, Carbondale Free Press stated, “The first shipment of powder from the Egyptian Powder Company was made Thursday. This is probably the first powder ever shipped from Southern Illinois. It consisted of 200 kegs. The plant from which it was shipped is situated midway between Marion and Carterville.” Continue reading →

Hay, John A. 1902-1967, Ferrell-Hay Law Firm

Posted on by January 17, 2014

John Hay 1902-1967
John Hay 1902-1967

John Allen Hay was born in Marion on March 17, 1902, at 513 S. Market Street in the home of his grandparents, Romulus and Adelle Holland who built the home in 1875. John was the second child born to the marriage of Charles W. Hay (1873-1967) and Elizabeth “Bess” Holland.

John’s mother, Bess Holland, died in 1908 when he was only six years old and the situation was reflected in the 1910 census. His grandfather, Romulus Holland, owner of the home on S. Market, was 64 and a salesman for a coal oil distributor. John’s father, Charles W. Hay, owned a shoe store at 304 Public Square, next to the First National Bank and was a widower, 37 years of age. Continue reading →

2006, Marion’s Funeral Home History

Posted on by August 8, 2018

Funeral Homes
Funeral Homes
Funeral Homes
Funeral Homes
Funeral Homes

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The worthwhile accomplishments of some groups seem forgotten to history because no one has been interested enough to record their many good deeds done on a daily basis. So it is with our funeral professionals. These dedicated people have been right alongside us as Marion has grown from a small pioneer settlement into the City of which we are so proud today. But their hard work and acts of humanity toward their fellow man have been little noticed and seldom reported. Continue reading →

F.W. Woolworth Company

Posted on by April 13, 2024

F.W. Woolworth Company
F.W. Woolworth Company
F.W. Woolworth Company

Anyone growing up in Marion from the 1930’s into the 1970’s has to have fond memories of the old five and dime store on the west side of the Marion square called the F.W. Woolworth Company store. From its opening in March of 1927 to its last day on December 31, 1973, the mere mention of the store conjures up very specific smells for this author. I vividly remember those warm summer days when just a stroll past the big wooden, open double doors allowed the fragrance of their candies, chocolates and nuts to stream out onto the sidewalk inviting one in to sample their goods, like a mermaid calling sailors to the reef. Continue reading →