Author Archives: editor

John D. Waters and Highland Farms

Posted on March 23, 2023 by editor

John D. Waters built a livestock empire in eastern Sangamon County. He also built a mansion south of Dawson that was known for, among other things, the large meteorite that adorned the front yard. “He was one of the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Family life, Farming, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Pillsbury ‘Doughboy’ origin debate

Posted on March 21, 2023 by editor

Did the Pillsbury Doughboy, one of advertising’s most recognizable images, originate in Springfield? Pillsbury says no. The company says Rudy Perz, a copywriter at the Leo Burnett Agency in Chicago, came up with the idea in 1965. But Moving Pillsbury … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and letters, Business, Industry | 1 Comment

COVID-19 in Sangamon County: The first year

Posted on March 19, 2023 by editor

Sangamon County recorded its first COVID-19 death on March 19, 2020. A 71-year-old woman travelling from Florida to Springfield passed away from virus complications at Memorial Medical Center. The death occurred during a period of national uncertainty about the COVID-19 … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Local government, Medicine, Public health, Sangamon County, Science | Leave a comment

First women lawyers

Posted on March 7, 2023 by editor

Erma Garrison Templeman was the first woman to practice law in Sangamon County. She wasn’t, however, the first to pass the bar exam; at least two other women beat her to that distinction. All three had noteworthy life stories, good … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Women | Leave a comment

‘The Great Klaholt robbery’, 1883

Posted on February 28, 2023 by editor

One hundred-forty years ago this week, “adroit cracksmen” made away – briefly – with what probably is the most lucrative burglary haul in Springfield history. The theft was carefully planned. The getaway, apparently, was not. The theft took place in … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bell Miller, businesswoman

Posted on February 24, 2023 by editor

Bell Miller was only 22 in 1892, when she opened a small flower shop at her home on South Second Street. One greenhouse soon grew to seven, covering the area around First and Canedy Streets. The Illinois State Journal took … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Hotels & taverns, National Register, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

Frank Zito’s Leavenworth prison record

Posted on February 14, 2023 by editor

Most photographs of Frank Zito, Springfield’s so-called “godfather” of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, show him as an older man, vaguely grandfather-ish in a homburg. The mug shots taken when Zito, then about 40, entered the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Susan Lawrence’s secret marriage

Posted on February 8, 2023 by editor

Susan Lawrence Dana and Lawrence Joergen-Dahl married secretly on March 19, 1912.  It took another two months for Springfield to become aware of the wedding. The marriage was certainly a love match for Dana (1862-1946), the wealthy socialite who a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Robert Preston Taylor (Lincoln College of Law, Illinois State Museum)

Posted on February 1, 2023 by editor

By one measurement, Robert Preston Taylor (1876-1951) goes into history as the first African-American graduate of the old Lincoln College of Law in Springfield. But that would ignore Taylor’s more significant achievement: bringing to life exhibits at the Illinois State … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Higher education, Museums, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Butchers vs. the ‘blue law’ (1916)

Posted on January 29, 2023 by editor

Springfield’s Sunday “blue law” was more than 40 years old in 1916. That’s when a group of suburban butchers decided the law should actually be enforced. As the dispute developed, Springfield police that March hauled in 15 businessmen, including seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Labor unions, Law enforcement, Local government, Springfield, Theaters | Leave a comment