Binkley, Andrew J. 1861-1933, Merchant & Alderman

Posted on by August 19, 2023
A.J. Binkley Siblings and Spouses
1907 Ad for Binkley-Miles-and-Co

Andrew Jackson Binkley was born May 21, 1861 on a farm just north of Marion, Illinois, the son of George W. Binkley (1831-1911) and Hannah (Lowe) Binkley (1837-1909). He was reared on the farm, attending the rural schools of the area and in 1883 he came to live in Marion. For several years after coming to Marion, Andrew worked as a store clerk.

On June 1, 1887 he married Josephine Scurlock, daughter of Allen B. Scurlock and Jane Scurlock. The couple went on to become active members and supporters of the First Christian Church in Marion.

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Davis, Daniel A. 1844-1914, Merchant & Alderman

Posted on by November 29, 2023

Daniel A. Davis was born in October of 1844 in Knox County, Tennessee to Charles and Elizabeth Davis. The 1850 federal census recorded Daniel at age 6 living with his parents and eight siblings in District 8 of Granger County, Tennessee. They were a farming family.

By the time the 1860 census was taken, the Davis family had moved to Williamson County and were living in Township 8, Range 3 which is East Marion Township today. At that time Charles & Elizabeth had seven children including Daniel. They were still listed as farmers but had no real estate value so apparently hadn’t purchased a permanent plot of land yet. The family’s personal estate was valued at $400.

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Gallagher, Edgar T. 1862-1939, Merchant & Alderman

Posted on by August 17, 2023

Edgar Thomas Gallagher was born near Olney, Illinois on October 5, 1862 to Bartholomew Gallagher and Mary Conner. Edgar’s father, Bartley, was a journeyman carpenter who had emigrated from Ireland and made his first stop in Ohio where he married and had two children before moving to the Olney area where he had the last of this three children including Edgar.  The 1870 federal census listed their children and ages as William 15, Missouri 13, Edgar 6, Mary L. 3 and Thomas 6.

According to the Marion Evening Press, the family moved from Olney to Marion in 1871 where the father, established a lumber and furniture business. After the father died in 1880, the oldest son, William, in company with J.M. Aikman took charge of the lumber business called Gallagher & Co. which continued until William’s death in 1922. The business was located at 405 N. Market St.

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Benson, William L. 1852-1900 Merchant & Alderman

Posted on by August 10, 2023

William Lumb Benson, who was often called “Lum” was born Sept 1, 1852 in Marion, one of six children to Archibald T. Benson and Julia Ann Bower. His father, Archibald, was a pillar of the community being the first president of the town of Marion (before the Mayoral system), organizer of several churches in Williamson County and a Marion businessman. His parents were the donors of the property for the original survey of the city of Marion (the downtown square) and Archibald purchased the original lot where the old Bank of Marion now sits, soon to be the new city hall.

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