Author Archives: editor

Isidor Yacktis (lawyer, spokesman for Lithuanians)

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

As a lawyer to his fellow Lithuanian immigrants in Springfield, Isidor Yacktis (1883-1953) leveraged his higher education and social status to serve as a mediator between his own people and mainstream Americans, to whom the immigrant “hordes” seemed unruly, threatening–and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethnic groups, Lithuanians, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

‘Riverton riot’ of 1906

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

In the early years of the 20th century, local newspapers reported Lithuanian ethnicity in crimes of violence, much as media later in the century reported race. However, it’s easy to see why a “Lithuanian” brawl could have seemed relevant to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Ethnic groups, Law enforcement, Lithuanians, Local government | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rev. Stanley Yunker

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

Father Stanley Yunker (1894-1975) was pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for 47 years.

Posted in Churches, Lithuanians, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Lincoln Tomb ‘Battle of the Gravesite’

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

Today, we take for granted that Lincoln is buried here. But we must remember that the journey from that terrible April day when Lincoln died to the day when he was placed in Oak Ridge’s receiving tomb was a tumultuous … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Presidents, Prominent figures | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Mary Lincoln letters about Lincoln Tomb site

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

Below is the text of letters written by Mary Lincoln during a dispute in June 1865 with the National Lincoln Monument Association. The NLMA wanted to build Springfield’s monument to President Abraham Lincoln (and his tomb) on what was called the Mather … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged | 2 Comments

Chicago & Alton railroad

Posted on October 5, 2014 by editor

See Chatham railroad history.

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Chatham railroad history

Posted on October 5, 2014 by editor

In the early 1800s, like many other places on what was then “the frontier,” lack of reliable transportation was an impediment to the growth of Sangamon County. The Sangamon River was an outlet to the Illinois River, but was too … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Communities, Historic Sites, Museums, Railroads, Transportation | Tagged | 5 Comments

Springfield College in Illinois

Posted on September 30, 2014 by editor

See Benedictine University at Springfield.

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Springfield Junior College

Posted on September 30, 2014 by editor

Original name of what later became Benedictine University at Springfield. The school closed permanently in 2018.

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Benedictine University at Springfield

Posted on September 30, 2014 by editor

Note: This entry has been updated to reflect the 2018 announcement that the entire campus was to be shut down.  Benedictine University at Springfield, which began as Springfield Junior College in 1929, abruptly announced the closure of its undergraduate programs … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Higher education | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments