Category Archives: Prominent figures

Krous Park

Posted on November 7, 2025 by editor

Beer was the lifeblood of Krous Park, which operated west of Amos Avenue in Springfield from about 1878 until the early 1910s. John G. Krous (1847-94), who owned a saloon on the northwest corner of Edwards and Baker streets (today’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Celebrations, Germans, Hotels & taverns, Local government, Markers, Prominent figures, Social life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Gray Eagle’s Salve

Posted on September 7, 2025 by editor

Chief Gray Eagle, a Native American born in Oregon, sold what the label claimed was a miracle-working ointment for two decades in Springfield. According to the label on each 2-ounce, $1.25 jar, Gray Eagle’s Salve could treat symptoms of head … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethnic groups, Medicine, Native Americans, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

The automobile as ‘devil wagon’ – Illinois State Register, 1907

Posted on August 13, 2025 by editor

The Illinois State Register, in an editorial published on Friday, Nov. 8, 1907, reluctantly admitted “the automobile has doubtless come to stay.” But the writer – probably the Register’s longtime editor, Henry W. Clendenin (1837-1927) – wasn’t happy about it. … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Communications, Journalism, Media, Politics, Prominent figures, Transportation | 4 Comments

Peter Vredenburgh Lumber Co. & its Alabama company town

Posted on July 16, 2025 by editor

The Vredenburgh family operated lumber businesses in Springfield for 145 years. One of the main reasons for the Vredenburghs’ success, though overlooked in Springfield, was the logging empire the Vredenburghs built in the forests of southern Alabama. That venture even … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Industry, Mills, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

Rev. Billious Pond and the Farmington abolitionists

Posted on July 5, 2025 by editor

The Rev. Billious Pond (1781-1874) was the spiritual leader of a band of abolitionists who traveled from Vermont to western Sangamon County in 1833. Local historian Richard Hart compiled their history in his pamphlet Lincoln’s Springfield: the Underground Railroad, published … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Churches, Communities, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Henry Stephens: miner, Carl Sandburg muse

Posted on June 28, 2025 by editor

Henry Stephens was an African-American coal miner in central Illinois from the 1890s into the early 20th century. Poet Carl Sandburg talked to Stephens sometime around 1917 and turned Stephens’ thoughts about racism in the mines and the need for … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts and letters, Coal mines and mining, Labor unions, Prominent figures, Theaters | Leave a comment

Robert Lincoln’s letter regarding the Lincoln Tomb, 1901 (photos)

Posted on June 13, 2025 by editor

The letter shown here is part of an online exhibit, “The 100 Most Valuable Documents at the Illinois State Archives.” Robert Todd Lincoln, only surviving son of President Abraham Lincoln, wrote it to Gov. Richard Yates Jr. in June 1901, … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Illustrations, Lincoln Tomb, Photos and photosets, Presidents, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

John W. Sturdy, Rochester’s Confederate veteran

Posted on May 31, 2025 by editor

This entry is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the May 2025 edition of The Prairie Land Buzz Magazine. Copyright Raymond Bruzan. Published with permission. Contributor: Raymond Bruzan A Virginia-born soldier who fought for the Confederacy … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Military, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

Henrietta Ulrich, businesswoman

Posted on May 25, 2025 by editor

Henrietta Ulrich, the story goes, sold her fabulous pearl necklace to buy what became the near west side of Springfield. Sadly, the story probably isn’t true. As a young woman, Ulrich (1797-1887) hobnobbed with Russian aristocrats and married into German … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Germans, Prominent figures, Women | 1 Comment

Buraldine Crumly, Miss Illinois 1929

Posted on April 6, 2025 by editor

Buraldine Crumly was the toast of Springfield in 1929. Crumly, 19, a telephone operator, won the title of Miss Springfield in a hastily arranged beauty pageant on May 24, 1929. In Chicago the next day, she was named Miss Illinois. … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures, Social life, Spectacles, Women | Leave a comment