Pioneer Lawyers in Marion

Attorney's played an important role in the early day's of our county's history.  From the archives of The Crittenden Press we find some interesting history of some of the attorney's of the times.  For such a small town, Marion had several lawyers. 

Champion & Champion, Twin Lawyers

Nov. 15, 1904

Thomas W. Champion is one of the leading attorneys at this bar and is a member of the firm of Champion & Champion, the twin lawyers. He was born and raised on a farm in Livingston County, near Hampton, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ben Champion, Sr. now reside.

Mr. Champion is young, yet his advancement in his chosen profession has been well marked, being one of merit from the start.

He taught school in 1899, 1900 and 1901, and attended the Bowling Green Law School where he graduated, receiving a diploma and being admitted to the Bowling Green bar in June 1902 under Circuit Judge Warner E. Settle, who is now a member of the court of appeals. He at once came to Marion and settled down, where he has since been building up a lucrative practice.

His practice is with his twin brother, Joe Ben Champion, Jr., who was admitted to the bar here. Recently, in speaking of the progress being made by these two young men, we had occasion to say: “The young men are acquiring a good practice and their patronage is increasing.” They are 24 years of age. The Messrs Champion are bright young gentlemen, hard students, eloquent speakers, and will make successful lawyers.

Strange to say, while these young men are twins, matters with which they are associated often travel in parallel lines. Judges Settles and Nunn, under whom they were admitted to the bar, being elected to the Court of appeals at the same time, and it is reported that there is likely to be a double wedding before long.

The Weddings:

On November 1^st, 1904 J. B. Champion, Jr., and Miss Blanche Crawford, of Tolu, were united in marriage in Evansville at the St. George hotel. Immediately after the ceremony was performed the bride and groom, left for the World's Fair. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Crawford, of Tolu.

 

On November 15, 1904, at the St. George Hotel in Evansville, Attorney Thomas W. Champion and Miss Daisy Towery, were united in marriage. The bride and groom at once left on their wedding trip to the World's Fair. The bride is the daughter of Aaron Towery, county judge of this county.

The offices of Marion's twin lawyers was located in the James building on E. Carlisle street.

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By 1910 both brothers had moved West to practice their profession in Ardmore, Oklahoma, with other citizens from Marion.  Thomas and wife, Daisy Towery Champion are buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery, in Ardmore, Ok.   Thomas died in 1962 and Daisy died in 1976.

Joseph B's wife, Blance Crawford Champion, died in childbirth in 1906, here in Marion and she is buried in Mapleview Cemetery close to her parents.  Joe B.  died in 1949 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery also.