Category Archives: Business

Culver Marble and Stone Co.

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

The Culver Marble and Stone Co. and its offshoots, headed by Col. James S. Culver (1852-1911), were among the Springfield area’s most prominent builders from the early 1870s until 1912. As a contractor, the Culver firm was given credit for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Buildings, Business, Industry, Museums, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Darling’s Mill

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Darling’s Mill was on the North Fork of the Sangamon River in Clear Lake Township, south of the modern Mechanicsburg Road crossing. One of the lesser known mills today, Darling’s Mill is actually well documented in the historical record. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Industry, Mills | Leave a comment

Andrew Elliott (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Andrew Elliott (1792-1864) kept what John Carroll Power called the first hotel in Springfield. However, his main claim to (probably apocryphal) fame was as the guide who secured the county seat for Springfield. According to Power, Elliott, originally from North … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Hotels & taverns, Local government, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Springfield | 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 →

Posted in Business, Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cornelius Flagg Farmstead, Sherman

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

                                                  Flagg Farmstead, 2013 (SCHS photo) The Flagg Farmstead , 500 Old Tipton Road in Sherman … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Buildings, Business, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, National Register, Prominent figures, Railroads | Leave a comment

Gottschalk Grocery

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

“The name Gottschalk has been synonymous in Springfield with quality foods,” the Illinois State Register proclaimed in 1924, when Gottschalk’s grocery celebrated 35 years in business at College Avenue and Edwards Street. At the time, in addition to basic staples, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Grocery markets, Historic Sites, National Register | 6 Comments

William Fleurville (Florville)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

William Fleurville (1807-1868) was a Haitian-born barber and businessman whose shop on Adams Street between Fifth and Sixth streets became a regular meeting place for Springfieldians, including Abraham Lincoln. The spelling of Fleurville’s last name is inconsistent; he often used … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Early residents, Ethnic groups, Prominent figures | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Francis Budinger (First Citizen)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Francis Budinger (1899-1986) president of Springfield-based Franklin Life Insurance Company from 1961 to 1964, was named Springfield’s First Citizen for 1975. The awards committee cited his work with Springfield College in Illinois (now Benedictine University Springfield), St. John’s Hospital, the … Continue reading →

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Charles E. Becker (First Citizen)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Charles E. Becker (1896-1968) was president of the Franklin Life Insurance Company in Springfield during the company’s years of greatest growth from 1939 to 1961. When Becker took over ownership, the homegrown firm had $178 million of insurance in force; … Continue reading →

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Franklin Life Insurance Co.

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Founded in 1884, the Franklin Life Insurance Co. remained an important force in Springfield’s economy into the 21st century. Franklin Life was founded  by a half-dozen central Illinois residents in 1884. They pledged to offer up to $3,000 in insurance … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, First Citizens, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | 103 Comments