Author Archives: editor

Vito Impastato (restaurateur, organized crime suspect)

Posted on December 14, 2014 by editor

Vito Impastato, though often suspected of crimes including kidnapping, bank robbery and murder, built an enduring career as a restaurant operator in Springfield. His restaurants began in the 1930s with the Club Holiday, MacArthur Boulevard and North Grand Avenue. Later, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Restaurants, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Frank Zito and the Zito brothers (organized crime)

Posted on December 14, 2014 by editor

Frank Zito, usually characterized as “Springfield’s godfather,” remains a fabled figure in the history of Springfield organized crime decades after his death. He attended the notorious Apalachin, N.Y., conference of Mafia chieftains, seriocomically invoked the Fifth Amendment before a Congressional … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Lincoln Tomb statuary (original)

Posted on November 18, 2014 by editor

This entry is a lightly edited version of a presentation given by Mark Johnson, historian for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, to the 2014 volunteer dinner hosted by the now-defunct Lincoln Monument Association, a non-profit support group for the Lincoln … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts and letters, Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Military, National Register | 3 Comments

Gov. Richard Oglesby (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

Richard Oglesby, elected Illinois governor in three different decades, was the president of the National Lincoln Monument Association for 30 years.

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David L. Phillips (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

David L. Phillips, a minster-turned-newspaperman, was one of 15 original directors of the National Lincoln Monument Association.

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Thomas Dennis (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

Thomas Dennis, mayor of Springfield in 1865, was one of 15 original directors of the National Lincoln Monument Association.

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James H. Beveridge (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

Illinois Treasurer James H. Beveridge was one of 15 original directors of the National Lincoln Monument Association.

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S.H. Melvin (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

S.H. Melvin, a druggist and friend of Abraham Lincoln, was one of 15 original directors of the National Lincoln Monument Association.

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Ozias Hatch (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

Illinois Secretary of State Ozias Hatch was one of 15 original directors of the National Lincoln Monument Association.

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Samuel H. Treat (National Lincoln Monument Association)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by editor

Longtime U.S. Judge Samuel H. Treat was one of 15 original directors of the National Lincoln Monument Association.

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