Category Archives: Women

Nellie Browne Duff

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Nellie Browne Duff  (1888-1971) was a reporter, screenwriter, veterans’ advocate, aviatrix and provocateur in Springfield from 1917 until the late 1920s. She later moved to the Bellingham, Wash., area, where she apparently continued with some of the same pursuits. Duff … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Journalism, Military, Prominent figures, Resources, Transportation, Women | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Salome Paddock Enos (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Salome Paddock Enos (1791-1877), the wife of Pascal P. Enos, successfully managed her husband’s extensive land holdings following his death and became one of early Springfield’s most generous benefactors. At her death, James Matheny described how Salome Enos dealt with … Continue reading →

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Elizabeth Graham (First Citizen)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Elizabeth Graham (1892-1982), though a Springfield High School English teacher and department head for nearly 40 years, is best known for her unswerving dedication to the poetry and memory of Vachel Lindsay. Graham. born in Galena, attended a Lindsay recitation … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Education, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Lindsay, Vachel, Museums, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

International Shoe Company

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

Springfield had a major shoe factory at Tenth Street and Enos Avenue from 1903 to 1964. The plant, built in the late 19th century, originally was the Springfield Furniture Co., but became a shoe factory when it was taken over … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Social services, Women | Tagged | 13 Comments

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

Maydie Spaulding Lee

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

Mary Thankful Spaulding Lee — known universally as “Maydie” — has been overshadowed in history by her dynamic brothers, Willis and Charles Spaulding. But some of those involved in Springfield’s early 1900s’ progressive movement, including poet Vachel Lindsay, suggested that … Continue reading →

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Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Envisioned by Harriet Knudson in 1936, Lincoln Memorial Garden was created as a living memorial to Abraham Lincoln, representing “the landscape … Lincoln would have known growing up and living in the Midwest.” The 100-acre garden on the banks of … Continue reading →

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

Mary Lincoln

Posted on October 16, 2013 by editor

Mary Lincoln (1818-82) was a sad and complicated figure — an intelligent, ambitious and attractive young woman whose later life was bedeviled by tragedy and physical and emotional breakdown. Her life and her impact on her husband’s career and presidential … Continue reading →

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Elizabeth and Ninian Edwards home (Lincoln marriage site)

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

Abraham and Mary Lincoln were married in the dining room of Elizabeth Todd Edwards (1816-88), Mary’s sister, and her husband, Ninian Wirt Edwards (1809-99), in the 500 block of South Second Street in Springfield on Nov. 4, 1842. Mary Lincoln … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Margaret Cross Norton

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

Margaret Cross Norton (1891-1984) was a groundbreaking archivist of public records, both as a woman and as an innovator and visionary. A graduate of the University of Chicago (bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history) and the New York Library School, … Continue reading →

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