Recollections of Marion in 1880's
By Clarence T. Wood
1943 research project
The sweetest spot on earth to me, Marion, my Marion!
'Tis where my heart shall ever be, Marion, my Marion!
Since first I lisped at mother's knee
'Til across old Jordon's tide I flee,
There let these eyes look out and see, Marion, my Marion!
Here live the friends I love and know, Marion, my Marion!
And memories sweet where e'er I go - Marion, my Marion!
The hills so steep, the valleys low,
The roads that wind, the streams that flow,
The morning bright, the after glow, Marion, my Marion!
I love thy ever busy mart, Marion, my Marion !
Oh, may I ever do my part, Marion, my Marion !
At thoughts of thee my pulses start,
The scenes I see defy all art,
For they're engraven on my heart, Marion, my Marion !
I know no better way to begin the memories of the town than by quoting the above lines written by my brother some years ago, they also express my idea.
My earliest recollection of life in Marion was gained by occasional visits to the town when father drove in to trade or on Sunday to church, and then they are somewhat hazy.
We lived on a farm about three miles from Marion, but off on a cross road to the east of the main Marion- Williamson highway in 1880-83 and here the Marion Enterprise founded in 1880 fills the gap.
Looking back, 61 years, we find C.H. Merrill as the pastor of the old Baptist church, that in those days stood nearly where the present church stands, while O.D. Davis held down the pastorate of the M.E. Church, Dr. Horace Eaton of Palmyra, was pastor of the Congregational Church.
At the Christian Church, Rev. H. Lenardson was pastor with services at half past ten AM and seven PM. The Dutch Reformed pulpit was supplied.
Societies were as follows: Marion Lodge No. 551 I.O.G.T. met every Friday evening in Good Templers Hall over the Heslor stores, then Marion Grange No. 214 also had rooms in the same hall, meeting every alternate Tuesday evening; Jefferson Sherman, master, while Eva L. Curtis headed the I.O.G.T.
Then at Marion Collegiate Institute were these societies: Lithologic Lyceum, from its ad, it was a literary society for the discussion of composition and music also the following were its officers in 1881: President, Joseph Davis; Vice Pres. Robert Case, Emma Reeves, 2nd Vice Pres.; Jessie Burbank , Secy.
The other was the Aesthetic Lyceum also literary in nature, headed by Asa Russell; Fred Jennings; H. Whittleton; and Etta Sanford.
On Main St. at this time was the Ezra Garlock livery stable, horses rented by the hour or day. Ezra was a small man in stature but a very kind and thoughtful man, a member of the Masonic order and the Baptist Church.
He died at the home on Palmyra Street on March 5, 1921 at the age of 68 years, he had been in feeble health for a time previous to his death, his entire life was spent in Marion.
On Mill St. at this time was another livery, conducted by J.H. Nicholoy, who advertised horses safe for women to drive.
Sanford & Moon were blacksmiths on Buffalo St. and a personal items says; Burdon Davis moved onto his farm at the Upper Corners last Thursday - paper dated March 26, 1881.
At this time Lewis Smith and Joseph Green were partners in the undertaking business in town as also Tremaine and Austin who have just removed from Clarks block to the Pulver store.
Three auctions are advertised, that of Zephaniah Howell, Aaron North and Samuel Smith, with T.M. Clark as auctioneer.
George Smith was a barber with a shop in the Clark Block.
The Rev. H. Lenardson, pastor of the Christian Church at this time, preached his farewell sermon from the text, 'Finally, brethren, farewell, be perfect, be of good faith and comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.'
Rev. Merrill and Rev. Davis assisted in the service.
At the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.E. Comstock, in Oswego, N.Y. March 15, 1881, Mrs. Eliza Springer, wife of the late William P. Springer, she was 73 years old.
B.E. Luce was a druggist in Clark's Block while I.S. Holmes had a general store where Goossens now is.
H.N. & H.B. Short ran a hardware store on Main Street but the firm failed and went out about 1883.
From a program of the closing exercises at Institute Hall, March 10, 1882, we find the following names of people who took part: Reading; Jessie Thomson, Declamation, Leonard Hubbard; others who took part are Mettie Jagger, Isaac Farroo, George Hawver, Warren Curtis, Kittie Darmody, F.R. Burbank, Justice Hill and others.
Malcolm Brothers had a meat market in the Holmes block in 1882 while the Rev. A.G. Hammond came to take charge of the pulpit in the Christian Church and Matthew Kolyn took over the charge of the Dutch Reformed on Union Street.
A few prices paid for produce may not be out of place right here: Flour per bb. $6.50; Corn Meal per cwt. $1.75; Wheat per bu. $1.35; Potatoes per bu. $1.00; Pork per cwt. $8.20; Lard 12 cents per lb.; Eggs 18 cents per dozen.
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