Author Archives: editor

Under the Gas-Light: Or Lights and Shadows in the State Capital of Illinois

Posted on May 16, 2014 by editor

Under the Gas-Light: Or Lights and Shadows in the State Capital of Illinois (1879) is a collection of 31 essays originallywritten as “Rambles” in the Sangamo Monitor, a Springfield newspaper published from the 1870s into the 1890s. The writer of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Journalism, Military, Prominent figures | Tagged | Leave a comment

Billy Sunday revival, 1909

Posted on May 16, 2014 by editor

Evangelist Billy Sunday’s six-week-long revival meeting in Springfield in 1909 is remembered chiefly because of a spectacular attack on Sunday the very first night of the revival. Sunday’s revivals were typically held in open-air “tabernacles” specially constructed for the evangelist. … Continue reading →

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Springfield High School class of 1914 (graduation brochure)

Posted on May 15, 2014 by editor

The 116 graduates in Springfield High School’s class of 1914 held their commencement ceremonies at the grand Chatterton Opera House. Slightly over half were women. The graduation brochure was provided by the family of graduate Alice Blumle.       … Continue reading →

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Benedictine University Springfield

Posted on May 7, 2014 by editor

The former Springfield Junior College/Springfield College in Illinois was absorbed by Lisle-based Benedictine University beginning in 2003. See Ursuline Sisters.

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Integral Phalanx, Loami

Posted on May 7, 2014 by editor

See Utopian Socialism in Sangamon County.

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Fleetwood Lindley and the reburial of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on May 5, 2014 by editor

Fleetwood Lindley (1887-1963) was, at the time of his death, the last living person to have seen the face of President Abraham Lincoln. Lindley was 14 years old* on Sept. 26, 1901, the day Lincoln’s casket was opened for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham | Tagged | 4 Comments

Ansar Shrine leadership, 1914-2014

Posted on May 4, 2014 by editor

The leaders (“potentates”) of Springfield-based Ansar Shrine during its first 100 years included a Springfield mayor, a Springfield First Citizen and the last living person to have viewed the face of Abraham Lincoln. Ansar Shrine was chartered on July 13, … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, First Citizens, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

Rayburn memorial, Oak Ridge Cemetery

Posted on April 28, 2014 by editor

One of the most prominent monuments in Oak Ridge Cemetery serves as a reminder of a thoroughly unconventional religious sect that got its start in Williamsville. The monument consists of an eight-foot-tall marble sculpture of a woman atop a 40-foot … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Sangamon County farm statistics, 1860

Posted on April 25, 2014 by editor

The 1860 federal census of agriculture for Sangamon County reported the county had 2,237 farms encompassing a total of 379, 512 acres.  The average farm size was about 170 acres. County residents owned 12,607 horses, 8,121 milk cows, 17,363 beef … Continue reading →

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Census figures

Posted on April 21, 2014 by editor

See Population changes, 1840-2010 for figures on Sangamon County as a whole and for the city of Springfield individually.

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