Author Archives: editor

William Ide (Bear Flag Rebellion)

Posted on October 8, 2019 by editor

William Ide, who lived in Sangamon County for six years, traveled on to California in 1845 and became the leader of Americans who challenged Mexican rule in what was called the Bear Flag Rebellion. More information.

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William Todd (Bear Flag Rebellion)

Posted on October 8, 2019 by editor

William Todd of Springfield emigrated to California in 1845 and later designed the flag of the short-lived California Republic. More information. 

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William Ide, William Todd and California’s Bear Flag rebellion

Posted on October 8, 2019 by editor

Two former Sangamon County residents played key roles in the rebellion that overturned Mexican rule in California in  1846. William B. Ide (1796-1852), was the rebellion’s leader and military commander. William L. Todd (1818-1876), one of Ide’s soldiers, helped create … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Politics, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

World War I memorial (new)

Posted on September 27, 2019 by editor

An obelisk bearing the names of 113 Sangamon Countians who died of wounds or disease in World War I was created in the early 2000s by John Kerasotes, a member of Springfield’s pioneering movie theater family. Kerasotes, however, remained anonymous, … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Local government, Markers, Military, Sangamon County, Women | 1 Comment

William Fetzer & Co.

Posted on September 17, 2019 by editor

William Fetzer & Co. was a farm equipment manufacturer in Springfield from 1908 to 1918. The firm’s move to Springfield from Ohio was a major boost for development of the Harvard Park subdivision. See Harvard Park.

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Harvard Park

Posted on September 17, 2019 by editor

The person who named Harvard Park, one of Springfield’s largest early subdivisions, won $100 in a contest sponsored by the Springfield Improvement Association. He or she – the winner, one of 570 entrants, asked to remain anonymous – promptly donated … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Industry | 7 Comments

Fred R. Coats Co.

Posted on September 13, 2019 by editor

This entry has been updated and expanded. Fred R. Coats deserves to be ranked with Robert Lanphier, John W. Hobbs and the Weaver brothers among Springfield’s top industrialists and innovators. Coats (1865-1951), born in Bennington, N.Y., came to Springfield with … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Prominent figures | 5 Comments

Edna White (heroic elevator operator)

Posted on September 3, 2019 by editor

Edna White was an elevator operator in the DeWitt Smith Building, Fourth and Monroe streets, when it caught fire March 12, 1918. She stayed at her post to ferry people from the top floors of the building to safety at … Continue reading →

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DeWitt Smith Building fire, 1918

Posted on September 3, 2019 by editor

When the DeWitt Smith Building caught fire in 1918, modern firefighting equipment saved the building, and a heroic elevator operator rescued many of its tenants. Even so, the top floors of the building, on the southeast corner of Fourth and … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Architecture, Auto dealers, Buildings, Disasters, Local government | 2 Comments

St. Patrick Parish, Springfield

Posted on August 22, 2019 by editor

Update: Bishop Thomas John Paprocki announced in March 2026 that St. Patrick School would close permanently. The closure was blamed partly on the expiration in 2023 of a state government tax credit that encouraged scholarships for some private school students.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Churches, Ethnic groups, Irish, Irish, Schools and school districts | 2 Comments