Author Archives: editor

Hiram Shumate (last Civil War veteran)

Posted on October 16, 2017 by editor

Sangamon County’s last Civil War veteran, Hiram Shumate of Riverton, died, at age 98, on New Year’s Day 1948. At the time of his death, Shumate had been state commander of the dwindling Grand Army of the Republic since 1940 … Continue reading →

Posted in Markers, Military, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Vincent T. Wasilewski (National Association of Broadcasters)

Posted on October 15, 2017 by editor

Vincent T. Wasilewski, who grew up in Cantrall, went on to play a role in some of the 20th century’s most controversial debates over broadcasting rights and responsibilities. Wasilewski (1922-99) was president of the National Association of Broadcasters from 1965 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Geneva Casstevens (World War I fatality)

Posted on October 7, 2017 by editor

Geneva Casstevens is considered the only woman from Sangamon County to die as the result of service in World War I. Her connection to Sangamon County, however is tenuous. See World War I memorial, First Street and North Grand Avenue, … Continue reading →

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‘Praying Hands’ sculpture, formerly at First Street and North Grand Avenue

Posted on October 7, 2017 by editor

The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic sponsored the design and erection of an abstract sculpture depicting praying hands on a small site at First Street and North Grand Avenue in 1966. However, the steel sculpture rusted rapidly … Continue reading →

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World War I memorial, First Street and North Grand Avenue (updated)

Posted on October 7, 2017 by editor

Update note: Sangamon County’s memorial to those who died in World War I was moved from First Street and North Grand Avenue to the war memorials section of Oak Ridge Cemetery in September 2019. Wording was added honoring all Illinoisans … Continue reading →

Posted in Lincoln Tomb, Markers, Military, Prominent figures, Women | 2 Comments

‘Napkin social,’ First Methodist Church (1895)

Posted on October 4, 2017 by editor

The napkin above, printed in 1895, is a rare relic of a fundraising technique that was popular among women’s church groups in the late 19th century – “napkin socials.” The idea was that members of a group – in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Churches, Women | 1 Comment

St. Joseph Parish and School

Posted on September 29, 2017 by editor

St. Joseph Parish on Springfield’s north end was the third Catholic parish established in the city. Its original elementary school existed from the 1870s until 1912, and the parish continued educating students until 2012. See Patrick Henry statue, St. Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Rev. Patrick O’Reilly (Catholic pastor)

Posted on September 29, 2017 by editor

Rev. Patrick O’Reilly, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Springfield, was the guiding force behind the statue of Patrick Henry that stood above the school entrance for more than 50 years.

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Patrick Henry statue, St. Joseph School

Posted on September 29, 2017 by editor

The mystery of what happened to St. Joseph School’s statue of Patrick Henry may never be solved. But the question of how a life-sized marble sculpture of a Protestant patriot happened to stand above the entrance of a Catholic school … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Buildings, Churches, Education, Schools and school districts | 1 Comment

Rainfall records, 1926

Posted on September 23, 2017 by editor

Two massive rainstorms made Springfield a virtual island on Sept. 8, 1926, flooding streets and basements, stranding autos, trains and streetcars, and leading to the electrocution of an Illinois Watch Co. worker. Even people using the Knights of Columbus swimming … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Disasters, Sangamon River | Leave a comment