Marion County (IL) Genealogical and Historical Society

05/25/2019

There's lots of information on our website. Check it out! http://www.marioncountyillinoishistory.com/useful-links.html

03/26/2019

03/07/2019

Did you know...? You can view all of our magazine's INDEX OF FAMILY NAMES and TABLE OF CONTENTS on our website? From our first publication in 1976 to the present day. Check it out! www.marioncountyillinoishistory.com/publications.html

03/04/2019

Here’s a picture of the fireplace and new lights in the General Store. The remodel is going good. After removal of the wall paneling to expose the interior logs we found they were white washed. The dividing walls have been covered with rough sawed lumber. The electrical has all been traced down and checked to be functional and safe. The mother’s privacy room is complete with the addition of a baby changing station. Still little more boxing in and electric then on to flooring and counters.

Looks like the Village is not getting just one new cabin but TWO. We were approached this past week by a second family wanting to have their family cabin moved to the Village for preservation. That will bring us up to fourteen cabins.

We are always looking for volunteers to join the KPI group and become a part in helping with our historical preservation goals. Come join our team!

11/17/2017

1909 HUSTLER'S MEETING

Started in 1902, the Egyptian Hustlers, an organization of traveling salesmen, were courted each year by the cities of southern Illinois to hold their annual convention. Centralia vied for 1908, but eventually won 1909 instead. The convention was intended as a fun time for the hard-working men and their families, and was full of entertainment, good food, games and prizes. Parades, brass bands, contests and banquets ruled the day, and the entire town was involved. Most described it as “a three-ring circus and then some.” To learn more, go to http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ and type “hustler’s meet” in the search box.

10/31/2017

HALLOWEEN PRANK

"Not much damage done on Saturday night on Halloween. Ed Perry’s barber pole was seen the next morning on top of the I.C. Water Tank. The red "keep to the right" lantern was hoisted to the top of the flag pole."

[Nov. 3, 1925 "Kinmundy Express" Kinmundy, IL]

10/28/2017

Thanks to Jeannell Gaston Charman for this photo and identification:

SALEM BOYS
Far left is Frank Davidson, Merle Duncan, Col Ward Duncan. The Navy man is Marvin Dace and the man far right is tail gunner Charles Zollar.

Frank said "they are all Salem boys." Frank got home June 20, 1945 and soon after they met for a basket lunch at Bryan Park.

09/03/2017

Do you know the history of the Omega One-Room School? It was built in 1856 and was a frame building 24' X 28' in size. William Duncan and Katie Elder are thought to be the first teachers. Excerpts from an old school ledger gives the year 1891 as the date that the original building was replaced with a newer building. The school board of William Southward, R. M. Schooley, and J. W. Arnold met and awarded the contract for the new building to N. B. Turner at a cost of $514.00 plus $10.00 for the belfrey. Later seats and desks were bought for $45.00.

The first to teach in the new building was Mrs. Wise who was paid $30 a month for five months and L. K. Boynton at $40 per month for four months. This building was used as a school until the rural schools were consolidated. It then served as the Omega Township Building for many years.

Thanks to the support of former students and members of the Omega community, the building has now been restored, and a dedication of the building and a memorial to Charles Bundy is scheduled for 5:00 p. m. on Saturday, September 9, 2017. It will be followed by a fundraising dinner from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with music provided by Herman Perry & the Gold Nuggests from 6:00 to 9:00 at the Omega Town House located at 6212 Omega Rd., Iuka, IL.

For more information about the event please go to http://omegaoneroomschool.com.

07/04/2017

MONUMENT DEDICATED 4TH OF JULY

Tuesday was a big day in Kinmundy - a day that will long be remembered by old and young. The beautiful soldier’s monument was erected on Monday by C.S. Huddelson, of Centralia. This is one of the most beautiful and substantial pieces of work of this kind in this part of the state and vote of thanks for his excellent and satisfactory services in its er****on. Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock the Golden Band opened the program of the day with a concert on the public square and at 10 o’clock the line of march was formed and the large crowd went to Evergreen Cemetery, where the newly erected soldiers' monument was unveiled and dedicated by the members of the G.A.R. and the Ladies of the G.A.R. in conformity with their rituals in a very sacred and impressive manner. It was by the untiring efforts of this little squad of ladies that this monument was placed in beautiful Evergreen cemetery.

[July 6, 1911 "Kinmundy Express" Kinmundy, IL]

09/06/2016

The Kinmundy Historical Museum is back at a new location.

07/19/2016

COULD IT BE LOVE?

Milburn Outhouse arrived in Roy from Patoka, Illinois Wednesday and will farm near Roy this summer. It seems there is something at Roy that attracts Milburn.

[April 9, 1921 "The Spanish American" Roy, NM]

07/13/2016

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE...

Just finished revamping our "Useful Links" page. On it you'll find links to many research aids. Interested in joining the DAR? Maybe you'd like to search antique newspapers. Actually *listen* to Wm. Jennings Bryan deliver seven of his speeches! Investigate Centralia's historical museum, or browse through histories of Kinmundy, Odin and Iuka. Ellis Island immigration records can be found here, and several books pertaining to our county's history, including Brinkerhoff's famous tome. Need to search Marion County cemeteries? How about old property maps?

Don't miss out on a wealth of information.

http://www.marioncountyillinoishistory.com/useful-links.html