Ashby, Ethel (Tanner) 1920-1992, The Old Sleighbell Antique Store

Ethel AshbyEthel Ashby was born on Sunday, March 7, 1920, at Creal Springs, Illinois, to Walter Tanner and Ethel Davenport. Her mother died the day Ethel was born. Due to a fear that the baby would also be lost, Belle and Roy McGowan, aunt and uncle of the child, volunteered to love and care for the little girl at their home in Carterville. Continue reading

Bandy, Wallace A. 1880-1941, State Legislator

Wallace Bandy 1880-1941Wallace Albert Bandy was born on July 19, 1880, in Sandy Hook, Elliot County, Kentucky to William H. Bandy and Sarah Howard (see Sam’s Notes).

He received his education in the public schools and the high school at Sandy Hook, and later took a special course in law and attended one term in military training school.

He enlisted on July 21, 1898, into the U.S. Army, Company H of the 4th Kentucky Infantry during the Spanish American war, serving in the Philippines and HawaiiHe was discharged from the regiment on February 12, 1899 as a private. Continue reading

Boatright, Wilbern 1912-2002

Wilbern Boatright 1912-2002Wilbern Boatright was born on September 12, 1912, in Galatia, Saline County, to Mack Boatright (1872-1951) and Cora Jane Blackburn (1875-1945).

When the 1920 federal census was taken, Wilbern’s parental family was living in Brushy, Saline County, on a farm owned by his parents. His parents were then in their 40’s and his father was farming for a living. Wilbern was aged 7 and had four brothers living at home. Brother Roy was 19 and teaching public school, Lloyd was 17 and a farm laborer, Leman was 14, attending school, and Walter was 2. Continue reading

Boyt, Bobby D. 1939-2007, Boyt Accounting Service

Bob BoytBobby D. “Bob” Boyt was born April 2, 1939 in Marion to Jack Boyt and Amy Haesker Barnett. He married Emily Sue Bishop on September 19, 1998.

Bob graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in accounting.

He worked for GTE for 25 years. He was a priesthood member of the Community of Christ Church for 35 years and a member of the Marion Rotary Club and Paradise Alley Players. Continue reading

Baker, Dr. Alonzo N. 1904-1993

Dr. Alonzo Newton Baker, M.D. was born May 28, 1904 at 1310 W. Main in Marion, Illinois to Dr. Virgil Baker and Nora L. Neber. Alonzo was likely named after his grandfather Alonzo P. Baker, civil war soldier and pioneer county doctor who helped influence the formation of early professional Southern Illinois medical care. Continue reading