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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM W. MARMON, druggist, Bloomington. The history of the business industries of McLean County would not be complete without a personal sketch of Mr. William Marmon the wholesale and retail druggist. He is a native of Wayne Co., Ind.; it was there he spent the early part of his life and received his education; in 1846, he came to Bloomington and engaged as a clerk with Messrs. Luce & Parke, who were then engaged in the drug trade; he remained with this firm until 1851, when the firm changed to Paist & Elder; he remained with these gentlemen until 1854, when he bought Mr. Elder’s interest in the business; he and Mr. Paist were partners until 1873, when the death of Mr. Paist occurred; since that time, he has conducted the business alone; under his supervision it has grown to almost incredible proportions-a better conception of the extent of it may be had when the proportions and amount of his storage-room is known; at 115 North Main street, where his establishment is located, he is using three floors and basement, and of 113, he has two floors and basement, each room and basement being 23x80 feet; placing the whole upon the ground floor, it would make one immense store room of 560 feet in length; but few of the citizens of Bloomington are aware of the extent of his business; he does a general wholesale and jobbing trade, in which he employs traveling salesmen. He has proven himself one of the best financiers of the county; his name, reputation and business are so well known that any compliments of the press are wholly unneeded. He is the oldest business man now engaged in business in the city that is, there is not a single man in the mercantile trade at this date that was doing business when he began.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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