Marion

/mar"ee euhn, mair"-/, n.

1. Francis, ("the Swamp Fox"), 1732?-95, American Revolutionary general.

2. a city in central Ohio. 37,040.

3. a city in central Indiana. 35,874.

4. a city in E Iowa. 19,474.

5. a city in S Illinois. 14,031.

6. a male or female given name.

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(as used in expressions)

La Follette Robert Marion

Marion Francis

Motley Marion

Marion Gordon Robertson

Marion Michael Morrison

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▪ Alabama, United States

      city, seat (1822) of Perry county, west-central Alabama, U.S. It is situated near the Cahaba River, about midway between Tuscaloosa (northwest) and Montgomery (southeast). Settled in 1817, it was known as Muckle's Ridge until it was renamed to honour Francis Marion (Marion, Francis), a soldier in the American Revolution who was known as the Swamp Fox. A resolution adopted by Alabama Baptists meeting in Marion in November 1844 was an early step in the controversy over slavery that led to the separation of Baptists into Northern and Southern (Southern Baptist Convention) factions the following year. Light industry (including poultry processing and the manufacture of packaging and metal products) is the economic mainstay. Judson College was founded in 1838, and Marion Military Institute was established in 1842. Nearby (north and east) is the Oakmulgee Division of Talladega National Forest. The city has many antebellum homes. Inc. 1835. Pop. (1990) 4,211; (2000) 3,511.

▪ Indiana, United States

      city, seat (1831) of Grant county, north-central Indiana, U.S., on the Mississinewa River, 67 miles (108 km) northeast of Indianapolis. Settled in 1826, it was named for General Francis Marion of the American Revolutionary War. It developed as an agricultural town, but local oil and gas booms at the turn of the 20th century attracted industry that continued after the wells ran out. Manufactures now include automobile, radio, and television parts, plastics, wire, glass, and foundry products. U.S. troops fought Miami Indians nearby at the Battle of Mississinewa in 1812. The Shugart House (1847), built by local Quaker George Shugart, was constructed with spaces between the walls in order to conceal fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. Salamonie and Mississinewa state recreation areas are north of the city. Indiana Wesleyan University was founded in 1920 as Marion College. Inc. 1889. Pop. (2000) 31,320; (2005 est.) 30,644.

▪ Ohio, United States

      city, seat (1824) of Marion county, north central Ohio, U.S., approximately 45 miles (70 km) north of Columbus. Laid out about 1820, it was first called Jacob's Well (for Jacob Foos, who dug for water there). Renamed in 1822 for Gen. Francis Marion of American Revolutionary War fame, it was incorporated as a village in 1830. Industrial development began in 1863 when Edward Huber, a German mechanic, founded a farm equipment factory there. The community soon became preeminent in the manufacture of excavating machinery (the leading industry until the 1990s). The steam shovel was introduced in 1874 and earned Marion the title “Shovel City.”

      Varied manufactures now include conveying and handling equipment, signposts, diapers, automobile and truck parts, packaging, household appliances, computer software, and processed foods. Surrounding farms specialize in popcorn growing, and limestone quarries are nearby. Marion Technical College opened in 1971, and a campus of Ohio State University (1957) is also in the city.

      Warren G. Harding (Harding, Warren G.) was born on a farm in nearby Blooming Grove (then Corsica) and became the owner and publisher of the Marion Star in 1884 before entering state politics and later being elected U.S. president. His home (1891) on Mt. Vernon Avenue is preserved as a museum, and the Harding Memorial contains the president's tomb and that of his wife, Florence. Delaware Lake State Park is 14 miles (23 km) south. Inc. city, 1890. Pop. (2000) 35,318; (2005 est.) 36,494.

▪ county, South Carolina, United States

      county, eastern South Carolina, U.S. It is situated between the Little and Great Pee Dee rivers (Pee Dee River) to the east and west, respectively; the rivers join at the county's southern tip. The county lies within the Coastal Plain and features generally flat terrain.

      Prior to European settlement the Pedee Indians lived in the forests and swamps. Marion county was established in 1785 as Liberty county; it was renamed in 1798 for American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion (Marion, Francis). It was a cotton-growing region until the late 19th century, when depressed prices led farmers to plant tobacco instead.

      Tobacco growing, lumbering, and manufacturing (textile products, candy, and canned foods) are the basis of the economy. Marion, the county seat, and Mullins are the largest cities. Area 489 square miles (1,267 square km). Pop. (2000) 35,466; (2007 est.) 33,905.

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