Marion Illinois History Preservation

Hartwell, Joseph W. 1839-1903, Marion Mayor & Civil War Veteran

Posted on March 16, 2014 by wcihsJuly 5, 2017

Marion, Illinois became an incorporated city in 1874 with a mayoral system of government. Joseph W. Hartwell became the first mayor elected to the town in 1874. Later he served in several positions in the city and county government: County Treasurer, 1865; Circuit Clerk 1868-1872; and States Attorney 1875-1880. In a special election for states attorney in June 1875, he was “an able young lawyer and a man of courage.” He was elected to the vacancy left by State’ Attorney, J. D. F. Jennings, who had left the county after embezzling $927 from the school fund and was the father of Al Jennings, Joseph W. was then elected to a full term. He also served on the state Board of Equalization in Springfield and U. S. Special Pension Examiner in Fulton, Kentucky. Continue reading →

Whitcomb, Charles H. 1890-1969, Mayor & County Commissioner

Posted on March 13, 2014 by wcihsMay 30, 2018

Charles Herbert “Herb” Whitcomb, mayor of Marion from 1931-1935 during the heart of the depression and two term County Commissioner, was born April 22, 1890 in Paducah, Kentucky to Charles Herbert Whitcomb, Sr. (1860-1896) and Mary Elizabeth Stanley (1863-1932). Continue reading →

Harris, Henry S. 1847-1912, County Treasurer & Sheriff

Posted on March 9, 2014 by wcihsMarch 10, 2014

Henry Scott Harris was a native of Robertson, Cheatham County, Tennessee, where he was born August 3, 1847, the son of James Thomas Harris (1819-1900) and Charlotte “Lottie” Lewis (1820-1867). He moved to Williamson County in 1854 with his parents and settled in Lake Creek Township not far from Herrin, where he lived nearly 33 years. His education was of the sort obtainable at the public schools, and he pursued his studies mostly at old Spillertown. Continue reading →