MARION, a thriving post-village, capital of Linn co., Iowa, on the mail route from Dubuque to Iowa City, 80 miles N. from the latter. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
MARION, the seat of justice for Linn, is situated about three miles south of the geographical centre of the county, and on the DuBuque Southwestern Railroad, seventy-four miles from the city of DuBuque. It is located in the midst of a rich agricultural district, and has a thriving business, transacted principally by the following establishments: Two banks; five dry goods and general stores; two groceries; two drug stores; one grain elevator; one foundry; one steam flour mill; two cabinet-ware establishments; together with several blacksmiths, bootmakers, harness, wagon and other mechanical shops. There are also two hotels, for the accommodation of the traveling public. The Linn County Register is published weekly at this place. The Adventists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists and Presbyterians have church organizations, and the town is supplied with good schools for instruction in the common branches of an English education. (Hair's Iowa State Gazetteer..., 1865)