Many of Marion's once familiar names are gone now. The original family members passed on, and if there were children, most moved on to other parts of the county.
One of Marion's early pioneer names is that of Carnahan. The name Carnahan doesn't appear in Marion today, but some of the older ones remember it, as it was a very prominent name at one time.
Without doubt, the man who earned the title of Marion's Godfather of his industry and farsightedness which sustained the rapid growth of Marion in its first two generations is William "Bill" Chandler Carnahan.
Bill Carnahan came to the newborn town of Marion in 1844 from Madisonville where he had been a saddler's apprentice for three years.
The Saddler profession was one of the indispensable businesses of the mid-19th century pioneer communities.
For he was the manufacturer of all leather goods, including saddles, bridles, saddle-bags, harness and often boots and shoes.
Hearing of the establishment of the new town, and realizing the marvelous business opportunity of the first saddle shop, Carnahan came to Marion in 1844, bringing with him, all that he possessed in a two-horse wagon.
A 35 year old father of two young children and soon to be a widower, W. C. Carnahan bought a double log-cabin which sat near the center of Marion (the now parking lot of Marion Commons.) and there he sat up his saddlery shop.
He continued at his saddle, harness, etc. making with David Bourland as his apprentice until 1854 when he sold his shop and entered politics.
Some of the offices he held during the years were: Constable; a Marion trustee in 1855; Crittenden County Sheriff in 1866.
The early Carnahan family has a lot in the Old Marion Cemetery, located next to Hwy. 60 East. Here W. C. "Bill" is buried. He died April 2, 1892.
I've often said that this old cemetery should be honored and cared for, it definitely is the resting place of Marion's Founding Fathers.
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