Category Archives: Military

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

Ted Curtis (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Ted Curtis, a Springfield native and U.S. Air Force veteran, became a real estate agent and later assistant real estate commissioner for the state of Illinois.  He served on the Springfield School Board for 10 years and was active in … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Ethnic groups, Military, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Adelaide O’Brien Rentschler (aviator)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Adelaide O’Brien (1915-99) of Springfield was the first licensed woman pilot in downstate Illinois. During World War II, O’Brien was a local ground instructor for U.S. Army Air Corps flight cadets. O’Brien also was widely known in central Illinois for … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Arts and letters, Military, Women | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Clear Lake

Posted on June 28, 2014 by editor

When most Sangamon County residents hear the name “Clear Lake,” they think of the avenue or township. However, the body of water that gave these places their names has a rich history all its own. Clear Lake itself is about … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Communities, Local government, Military, Parks, Sangamon River, Sports and recreation | Tagged , | 2 Comments

John J.H. Kelly (Medal of Honor)

Posted on June 23, 2014 by editor

John J.H. Kelly (1851-1907) received the Medal of Honor for his actions during a five-day fight with Indian warriors on the Upper Washita River, Texas, in September 1874. Kelly was among about 50 soldiers — a combined infantry and cavalry … Continue reading →

Posted in Military | 2 Comments

Arthur “Jingle” Wilson (Medal of Honor)

Posted on June 23, 2014 by editor

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Arthur H. “Jingle” Wilson (1881-1953), a native of Springfield, was awarded the Medal of Honor for service on Patian Island in the Philippines on July 4, 1909. Wilson, who spent  nearly 40 years as a cavalry … Continue reading →

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John H. Catherwood (Medal of Honor, 1911)

Posted on June 18, 2014 by editor

Springfield native John Hugh Catherwood (1888-1930), a seaman on the U.S. Navy gunboat USS Pampanga during what is called the “Action against Philippine Outlaws” in 1911, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during a firefight with Moro rebels. … Continue reading →

Posted in Military | 2 Comments

114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Posted on June 12, 2014 by editor

The 114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of men from Sangamon Cass and Menard counties, was known as the “Sangamo,” “Sangamon” or even “Lincoln’s Home” regiment during its Civil War service. The 114th was formed in the summer of … Continue reading →

Posted in Military | 9 Comments

Meredith Rhule

Posted on June 8, 2014 by editor

Meredith Rhule (1910-74), a Springfield native, led Burmese and Chinese guerrillas, often behind Japanese lines, during World War II. He won election as Sangamon County sheriff in 1946, but served only one term after newspaper investigations found he had ignored … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Military, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Under the Gas-Light: Or Lights and Shadows in the State Capital of Illinois

Posted on May 16, 2014 by editor

Under the Gas-Light: Or Lights and Shadows in the State Capital of Illinois (1879) is a collection of 31 essays originallywritten as “Rambles” in the Sangamo Monitor, a Springfield newspaper published from the 1870s into the 1890s. The writer of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Journalism, Military, Prominent figures | Tagged | Leave a comment