August 31 Illinois History Minute

It’s August 31st, and on this day in 1918, Jim Jordan married Marion Driscoll, in their hometown of Peoria. In time, the Jordans would become one of radio’s most successful comedy teams, meeting up in Chicago with writer Don Quinn to create Fibber McGee and Molly.

The overstuffed hall closet was an enduring running gag on Fibber McGee and Molly, which ran on network radio for nearly a quarter century.

William Ewing was born on this day in 1795. Ewing was acting lieutenant governor in 1834, when he replaced Governor John Reynolds, who stepped down early to take a seat in Congress. Ewing was governor of Illinois for two weeks --- the shortest gubernatorial term state history.