Marion Alexander Harrold ^5,84,85

  General Notes:

Marion Alexander Harrold was born in Green County, Tennessee, April 26, 1837. He died at his home in Ridgefarm, Illinois, December 26, 1906.

As a young boy, Marion mastered the trade of blacksmith, tought by his father, Uriah. (Uriah was a blacksmith.)

Marion spent the early part of his life near New Market, Tennessee. That is where he graduated college.

Marion's father died before the Civil War. Susannah (Marion's mother) took the family north (along with other Union supporters). The Harrold family arrived in Ridgefarm, Illinois in 1861.

Marion enlisted in the "Pioneer corps of the army" in 1864. Later he was assigned to the "blacksmith department". He served as a blacksmith in the Union army until the Civil War ended. It is ironic that Marion was located for a long time near his birthplace in Tennessee.

After the Civil War, Marion moved north again. In Ohio he met Mary Louisa McFarland. They were married at Jamestown, Ohio, November 15, 1869. Marion and Mary had five children: Mary, Harrison, Jennie, Charles and Frank. The three oldest children died in childhood. Marion's wife, Mary, died August, 1879.

January 13, 1881, Marion married Jane S. Smith. Marion and Jane had two children: Edith and Herbert.

Marion was a member of the Masonic Order. He joined the Russell Lodge No. 184 at Georgetown, Illinois, in the fall of 1861. When the Ridgefarm Lodge was instituted Marion was a charter member, and was its first Junior Warden. He was elected to the chapter at Danville, Illinois. On the day he was set to
take his degree, he joined the Union army.

According to the "Ridgefarm Republican" (January 3, 1907), Marion was a, "most highly respected citizen". He took an "active part" in the affairs of the village - in 1875 Marion was elected President of the Town Board.

Marion worked at his blacksmith trade until 1875. In 1875 he went into the "general merchandise business". Marion became involved in the "implement business" around 1885, and continued in that industry until his death.

Marion's entire building and stock were consumed by fire in 1902. However, he rebuilt immediately and continued with his business.

The "Ridgefarm Republican" said, "...above all other interests, Mr. Harrold placed his church, and his God. He was converted when he was 18 years of age during a series of meetings held in his home town ..." When the church burned he arranged for a new one. The "Ridgefarm Republican" reported, "...it was his great desire to it completed and to use his own expression, 'See souls born into the Kingdom within its walls.'"

Marion married Mary Louisa McFarland, daughter of Jesse N. McFarland and Nancy A. ?, on Nov 15, 1869 in Jamestown, Ohio. (Mary Louisa McFarland was born about Jun 1, 1843 in Ohio and died on Aug 18, 1879.)

Marion next married Jane S. Smith, daughter of ? Smith and ?, on Jan 31, 1881. (Jane S. Smith was born about 1844 in Iowa and died about 1916.)