Andrew Jackson Binkley was born May 21, 1861 on a farm just north of Marion, Illinois, the son of George W. Binkley (1831-1911) and Hannah (Lowe) Binkley (1837-1909). He was reared on the farm, attending the rural schools of the area and in 1883 he came to live in Marion. For several years after coming to Marion, Andrew worked as a store clerk.
On June 1, 1887 he married Josephine Scurlock, daughter of Allen B. Scurlock and Jane Scurlock. The couple went on to become active members and supporters of the First Christian Church in Marion.
Binkley was elected to alderman for the city of Marion in 1889 and 1890 under Mayor William T. Davis.
In 1890 he formed a half interest partnership with James M. Burkhart to operate Burkhart & Binkley Dry Goods in Marion at 600 Public Square. The partnership lasted 13 years till July 21, 1903, when his failing health prevented him from longer confinement to the business. An 1897 newspaper article remarked that Binkley had been to Battle Creek, Michigan to recover from bad health.
In the following year, 1898, A.J. and Josephine contracted to build a home at 903 N. Market St. on the corner of E. Boulevard and N. Market St. The impressive Princess Anne style home was built by George F. Barber & Company of Knoxville, Tennessee, Architects, Contractors and Builders. The tract of land was part of Joab Goodall’s addition which was platted in 1895.
In the 1900 federal census, A.J. aged 49 and Josie aged 44 were in their home on N. Market and had Josie’s niece Alberta “Birdy” Campbell aged 12 living with them. A.J. was listed as a merchant. By 1903, A.J.’s poor health was catching up with him and he left his partnership with J.M. Burkhart and entered into the coal business in a company called Binkley, Miles & Company with an office at 504 Public Square.
The 1910 census reflected his coal mine ownership by noting such and also indicated that the couple were still housing Josie’s niece Alberta, then 22, as well as A.J.’s brother George Binkley, aged 36.
During WWI, Binkley served as Marion chairman for the Liberty Loan Campaign to support the war effort.
By the 1920 census, 59 year old A.J. had additionally taken on a real estate business in addition to his coal mine interests with offices in what is now the old Hotel State building on the public square. They were also sheltering Josie’s 23 year old niece Marie Campbell and her 6 year old nephew, Jack N. Meade.
An article in the Marion Daily Republican in March of 1928 indicated that Binkley had been ill for several days but seemed to be improving.
Binkley passed away in his home on the Friday morning of September 22, 1933 after a serious and painful bout of illness. Binkley was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in which he had been an active worker. He served as treasurer for many years and served on the building committee which directed the building of the church edifice and its reconstruction after the original building was damaged by fire, contributing largely in a financial way. At the time of his death, Binkley had been an elder in the church for many years prior.
A.J. was one of the founders of the Marion Building and Loan Association and served as their treasurer for ten years and as a member of the board of directors after his retirement as treasurer. He also served as director of the Marion State and Savings Bank for many years and housed his mine and real estate offices in the bank building on the public square.
A.J.’s wife, Josephine, continued living in the home and took in boarders to supplement the house until her death on December 16, 1956 when she was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery next to A.J. The couple had no children during their marriage.
(Sources: 1905 Historical Souvenir of Williamson County, FindaGrave, Marion City Cemetery Records, Illinois Death records, The Leader, Marion Weekly Leader and Marion Daily Republican newspapers, Glances at Life, by Homer Butler, Federal Census records, WCHS resources. Compiled by Sam Lattuca 8/19/2023)