James Hugh Felts was born February 1, 1866, in Williamson County, Illinois. He was the son of Martin V. Felts and Rebecca Lucky. His father was a veteran horticulturist and apple man of Southern Illinois. Continue reading
Category Archives: Publications
With the issue of the Marion Weekly Leader dated March 18, 1971, it will cease to exist after 133 years of service to the people of Marion and Williamson County. Continue reading
The sale of the Republican-Leader to a group of Pennsylvania newspaper publishers was announced today.
Oldham Paisley, President of the Republican-Leader, Inc., and editor of the Marion Daily Republican, continues as publisher and consultant to the newly formed corporation, Marion Publishing, Inc. Continue reading
Roy Oldham Paisley was born May 2, 1893 to William Orion Paisley and Georgia Oldham in East Lincoln Illinois located in Logan County just north of Springfield, Illinois. Continue reading
The following article was written in 1904 describing the history of newspapers in the county to date.
The first printing office ever established in Williamson County was in the year 1838, was owned by W.H. Willeford, and was located at his residence, seven miles southeast of Marion. This was before Marion was laid out and located as a county seat. In fact, it was while Williamson and Franklin Counties were embraced in the same territory and called Franklin County, with the county seat at old Frankfort, twelve miles north of Marion. Continue reading