Category Archives: Early residents

William Hamilton

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

William S. Hamilton (1797-1850), a son of U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton, lived in Springfield from about 1822 to 1827. He worked as deputy surveyor in the land office and as a merchant and lawyer. As a surveyor, Hamilton was … Continue reading →

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Hanging of Nathaniel Van Noy (1826)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Early pioneers of Sangamon County often used the hanging of Nathaniel Van Noy on Nov. 26, 1826 as a time reference. Van Noy, who lived west of Athens in what now is Menard County, had killed his wife in what … Continue reading →

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Gen. James Henry

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

James D. Henry (1797-1834), gained the title of “General” via his acknowledged exceptional leadership during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Henry, who arrived in Springfield in 1826, was elected sheriff in 1827 and was operating a store on the … Continue reading →

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Archer Herndon (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Archer G. Herndon Sr. (1795-1867) was one of the “Long Nine,” including Abraham Lincoln, who are credited with persuading the Illinois legislature to move the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield in 1837. Archer Herndon also was the father of William … Continue reading →

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Dr. Thomas Houghan

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Dr. Thomas Houghan (??-1862) built the Springfield home now known as Edwards Place in 1833. He sold it to Benjamin Edwards in 1843. Houghan was one of the first 10 physicians in Springfield and played a prominent role in local … Continue reading →

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Elijah Iles House

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

The house pioneer merchant Elijah Iles is thought to have had built for his family near Sixth and Cook streets in the 1830s* now is a museum and display place for exhibits focused on Springfield history. Both Abraham Lincoln and … Continue reading →

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Nancy and Alexander Humphreys (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Nancy Humphreys was a charter member of both the Sangamo Presbyterian (1828) and Second Presbyterian (1835) churches in Springfield. John Todd Stuart places the residence of Nancy and Alexander Humphreys, as well as the site of Alexander’s blacksmith shop, near the … Continue reading →

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Elijah Iles (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Elijah Iles (1796-1883) was Springfield’s first merchant and perhaps its most dynamic founder. Iles built a log store near the settlement of the John Kelly family shortly after arriving in central Illinois. Iles described his move to Sangamon County and … Continue reading →

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Thomas Cox (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Thomas Cox (1787-1844) bought out the property of the John Kelley family to become one of the four original proprietors of Springfield in 1824. (The others were Elijah Iles, Pascal Enos and John Taylor.) Cox previously was a prominent resident … Continue reading →

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Indian Queen Hotel

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

A few Springfield and Sangamon County histories mention a once-famed hostelry, now generally forgotten — the Indian Queen Hotel. Owned and operated by Archer Herndon Sr., Sr., the Indian Queen was one of the city’s best accommodations in the early 1830s. … Continue reading →

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