Marion Illinois History Preservation

Maynard, Clyde O. 1912-1999, Civic Leader

Posted on February 11, 2014 by wcihsFebruary 11, 2014

Clyde Owen Maynard, one of the original Marion Park District Commissioners in 1957 and an active civic leader, was born April 18, 1912, in Herrin to Otis A. Maynard (1882-1926) and Nellie Williams (1887-xxxx).

The 1920 federal census found 7 year old Clyde in his parents’ home at 1004 S. 13^th Street in Herrin, Illinois, which they owned free of mortgage. His parents were aged 36 and 32 respectively and his father was working as a mine boss. Siblings of Clyde living in the home were Ruth 14, Leonard 13, Paul 11 and Marvin age 4. Continue reading →

Jones, John W. “Willie” 1912-1968, Civic Leader

Posted on January 30, 2014 by wcihsFebruary 28, 2014

John William “Willie” Jones, beloved Marion citizen, active civic leader and the first black man to obtain membership in any Marion service club, was a native of Marion born on January 12, 1912 to William Jones and Mrs. Alice Crossland. Jones was hailed by Marion editor and news publisher, Oldham Paisley, as being a force of one in maintaining racial tension in Marion and promoting development of the black community. Continue reading →

Dingrando, Leo J. 1935-2004

Posted on January 25, 2014 by wcihsJanuary 25, 2014

Anyone who grew up in Marion and participated in sponsored youth activities between the late 1960’s and into the 2000’s has an extremely high probability of having encountered Leo Dingrando. Leo selflessly dedicated uncountable hours of his time to youth programs and was a well-loved figure in the Marion community for nearly four decades.

Leo Junior Dingrando was born on June 11, 1935 in Marion at 704 W. White Street to Leo Dingrando and Catherine Duvardo, the youngest of four sons. He grew up as a devout member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Continue reading →

Stotlar, Warder 1911-1965

Posted on December 1, 2013 by wcihsJune 6, 2014

Warder Stotlar was born in Marion May 9, 1911, the son of Fred Stotlar and Hattie Warder.

In the 1920 census, Warder was 8 years old and living with his parents at 107 E. Marion Street.

He was graduated from Marion High School in 1929 and in the 1930 census, Warder was 18 years old and living with his parents at 105 E. Marion Street. Continue reading →

1929 Progress Edition of the Marion Daily Republican

Posted on November 14, 2013 by wcihsSeptember 9, 2023

A few of the articles extracted from a special 1929 Progress Edition of the Marion Daily Republican newspaper reflects the state of the city of Marion on its 90^th year of existence as follows.

Marion the county seat of Williamson County is the oldest city in the county and as such is one of the most stable cities of the rich Southern Illinois or Egyptian coal fields where it is with its more than one and a half million dollars’ worth of public improvements the home city of 15,000 people. Continue reading →