Category Archives: Prominent figures

Revolutionary War veterans buried in Sangamon County

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

This entry has been updated. A marker on the Old Capitol Plaza identifies 27 veterans of the American Revolution who are buried in Sangamon County, but that figure probably identifies only half of the patriots whose final resting places are … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Markers, Military, Prominent figures, Resources | Tagged | 2 Comments

Mayor John ‘Buddy’ Kapp

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

John “Buddy” Kapp (1888-1978) served four terms as Springfield mayor, from 1931 to 1947, the longest mayoral tenure in city history.  One of his secrets? Kapp never forgot a name,  State Journal-Register reporter Mike Kienzler wrote in a profile of … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Local government, Prominent figures, Springfield | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Kelley (Kelly) family

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

The Kelleys – Elisha, John, Henry and their relatives – are usually considered the first Europeans to live in the boundaries of what is now Springfield. (An 1817 settler, Levi Ellis, may actually deserve that designation, but the Kelley family’s cabins … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Early residents, Historic Sites, Oak Ridge signs, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Springfield | Tagged , | 41 Comments

Kerasotes Theatres

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

A candy-store-turned nickelodeon in Springfield was the starting point for what for a time was the sixth-largest theater chain in the U.S. Brothers Gus  (1873-1960)  and Louis Kerasotes, both Greek immigrants, converted Gus’s confectionery at 214 S. Sixth St. into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Arts and letters, Business, Prominent figures, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Howard Knotts

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Howard Knotts (1895-1942) shot down six German planes in less than a month during World War I, winning the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross and the British Distinguished Flying Cross. He was downstate Illinois’ only “flying ace” during World War I. … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Military, Prominent figures | Tagged | 1 Comment

Harriet Knudson (First Citizen)

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Harriett Knudson (1883-1969) is best known as the driving force behind creation of the Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center at Lake Springfield. She also organized the Springfield Civic Garden Club (Knudson was the first person elected to honorary life … Continue reading →

Posted in First Citizens, Parks, Prominent figures, Social services, Women | Tagged | Leave a comment

Koke Mill

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Koke Mill was on Spring Creek, near the present-day Koke Mill Road crossing. One of the best-known local mill names today, Koke Mill has one of the most complicated histories of ownership. It went through more than a dozen owners … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Mills, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Kun Brewery

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

During its heyday, the Kun Brewery was one of the most prominent in the city, and one of its flamboyant brewmaster/owners erected a locally famed mansion at Walnut and Carpenter streets. Though long forgotten, the brewery came to light, literally, … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweries, Business, Fever River, Prominent figures | 11 Comments

Lake Springfield

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Lake Springfield is a 4,000-acre artificial lake constructed by the city of Springfield in the early 1930s. The lake first reached full pool (560 feet above sea level) on May 2, 1935; it was dedicated in a three-day-long celebration in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Prominent figures, Public health | 4 Comments

Robert Carr Lanphier meets Thomas Edison

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Robert C. Lanphier (right)was the engineering genius behind the creation of Sangamo Electric Co., which was incorporated in 1899. In his section of a privately published booklet, “Sangamo: A History of 50 Years” (1949), Lanphier related his first meeting with … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | 2 Comments