Harry Willis Bracy was born in Marion on September 16, 1887, the son of Abner E. Bracy and Florence Crain. His father, who was a Marion merchant for many years, died in 1935 and his mother died in 1961.
In the 1900 census, Harry, aged 12, was living with his parental family in their home at 604 S. Market Street. His father was a merchant that operated a retail store on the square. His siblings were, Charles Bracy aged 14, Reba 10, Leon 8 and Ralph 4. Continue reading
Donald Houston Bethel was born November 12, 1919, in Ozark, Illinois, in Johnson County, the son of Jewell Guy Bethel Sr. (1896-1970) and Elma Mae Houston (1900-1991).
Although his obituary states that he was born in Ozark, Illinois only one month after his birth he and his parents were listed in the 1920 census as living at Harrisburg in Saline County. Continue reading
Albert Raymond Cagle was born near Mount Pleasant in Union County on May 29, 1902 to the late James G. Cagle (1869-1959) and Flora Bishop (1873-1959). Continue reading
Robert O. Clarida was of Irish, Scotch, English parentage, born near Crab Orchard in Williamson County, Illinois, on July 19, 1868. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Tennessee. He was reared and educated in Crab Orchard Township of Williamson County and lived on the farm until 1902. Continue reading
Bill L. Bainbridge was born July 8, 1922, in Marion, to Lawrence and Lottie Mae (Eyre) Bainbridge. Having been born into a family of merchants, Bill was a WWII veteran who spent his life in the family jewelry business and was the great-grand-son of J.B. Bainbridge, an early pioneering Marion merchant. Continue reading