A list of the names of the judges and clerks of this court has been givin in the preceding chapter. The early records thereof are missing; they were probably destroyed when the courthouse was burned. For further information concerning the courts and the counties composing this judicial district, the reader is referred to the history of Franklin Co.
The first political leader in the territory composing Wmson Co was Thomas Roberts, who was a member of the constitutional convention of 1818, and in 1838 Willis Allen and Allen Bainbridge were elected to the Legislature on the question of division of Franklin Co and the formation of Wmson. Willis Allen came to this State from the State of TN, and finaly settled in what is now Wmson Co, and soon after its formation "he moved to Marion and bought 3 arces of land from Benson. It had a log cabin on it, in which he lived for some time. He was a man of considerable talent, great shrewdness and unbound energy. He lived respected by all, and idolized by his party. He went to Congress in 1852, again in 1854, served several terms in the Legislature, and died in 1859, while holding court as circuit judge in Saline Co. Allen was a sparely built man, erect, graceful, and of uncommon strength, agility and endurance.* * * He was frank, generous and confiding to a fault, and was more interested in doing a kindness to others, than serving himself. He was the father of Judge WJ Allen and was the most powerful politician in southern ILL in his day.
Concerning Judge WJ Allen the Morning Monitor of Springfield, dated 19 Apr 1887, says; "Judge WJ Allen received a telegram from Washington DC, yesterday afternoon announcing that President Cleveland has appointed him as US district judge for the Southern District of ILL, to fill the vacancy made by the death of Judge Samuel H Treat. * * * Judge Allen was born in TN on 09 Jun 1829, and with his father came to Wmson Co in this State. * * * He received his education, principally, at a boarding school superintended by BG Root, near Tamaroa. AT an early age he began reaading law with his father, Willis Allen, and afterward attended law school at the University of Louisville, KY. During the summer of 1850, he began the practice of law in Metropolis, and remained in that city until the spring of 1854 when he removed to Marion, and in Nov of that year was elected to represent the district in the Legislature. In 1855, he was appointed US district attorney for the Southern District at the same time Judge Treat was appointed US district judge, and held that position till 1859, when he resigned and was elected circuit judge the following year. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1862, and was elected to Congress to succeed Gen Logan. Being re-elected to Congress in 1862, he served till 04 Mar 1865. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1870, serving as chairman of the committee on bill of rights and representing the present article of the constitution on that subject. Judge Allen has ever been regarded as an unswerving Democrat, and was a delegate to the national convention of 1860, at Charleston, SC, as a strong supporter of Douglas. He was also a delegate to the national convention at New York in 1868, and at that of 1876 in St Louis, being chairman of the IL delegation, and one of the strongest supporters of Tilden's nomination. He was an elector at large on the Tilden ticket in the same year, and was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago in 1884, at which time and place he warmly advocated the nomination of Cleveland, notwithstanding his cordial relation with and friendship for the late Vice-President Hendricks. When not holding public office Judge Allen has been actively engaged in the practice of law. He was several years the partner of Senator Logan, and was afterward the partner of Judge Mulkey, present member of the supreme bench of ILL. At one time he was the law partner of Hon SP Wheeler of Cairo. Judge Allen came to this city last June, and has since been associated with Messrs, CC and Stewart Brown. His partnership with Senator Logan was while he resided at Marion.
Anderson P Corder was known in Franklin Co as a school teacher. He came to Marion in 1840, and commenced the practice of law. He figured in politics until 1874, and was the most singular politician ever in the county. Sometimes he would rise in public estimation until he could have been elected to any office, then again sink beneath public contempt. He was in the State Senatr one term, and held the position of master in chancery. He was not a profond thinker, but a witty, fluent speaker. From 1840 to 1850, he held almost despotic political influence. No man thought of running for office without his consent; but in later years he lived a hard, intemperate life, and not only lost his influence, but lost that respect which ought to attend a man of gray hairs. During the war he was an outspoken Southern sympathizer, but when invasion threatened this State, he drew his sword for denfense. (Erwin's History) He afterward moved to California where he was living at last accounts.
John T Lowden was a very prominent member of the Marion Bar, and in 1848 was a delegate to the constitutional convention from this county. In politics he was a Whig, and was a man of ability, both as a lawyer and politician. The family of which Robert G Ingersoll was a member, came to this county about the year 1853, and the next year Robert and his brother Clarke were admitted to the bar at Marion. In 1856 they moved to Peoria--before Robert G had developed his talents, and established his great reown. John M Cunningham, the father in law of Senator Logan, was a Democratic politicain of considerable ability and was bitterly oposed to the Republican administration during the civil war. He was a prominet man during the organization of the county, and held several county offices thereafter. In 1869 he was appointed provost-marshal, in Utah Territory, where he died in 1874; and his remains were brought back to Marion by his daughter Mrs Mary Logan.
The present members of the Marion Bar are WW Clemens, JW Hartwell, JM Wahsburn, George W YOung, WW Duncan, LD Hartwell, Jerome B Calvert, John W Peebles, WH Warder, M(artin) L(uther) Baker, AH Billings and WCS Rhea. The professional life of these honorable gentlemen is confined to the period of time elapsed since the late war. SOme of them are well established in the practice, while the younger ones are striving with fair prospects to gain ascendency. As a whole the bar averages well in ability, and compares favorably with that of other counties; and when the members composing it have made their mark, and passed from the stage of action, the future historian will write their biographies.