Category Archives: Early residents

Edwards Trace

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Update (November 2024): The most complete information on the Edwards Trace is available at rabbitsrow.com, a website created by Trace researchers Luke Moore, David Brady and Tracy Garrison. It includes: their paper on the history and route of the Trace; … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Native Americans, Transportation | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Dr. Garret Elkin (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Dr. Garrett Elkin, who moved to Sangamon County from Kentucky in 1823, “was a man of considerable courage,” serving for six years as county sheriff and in the Black Hawk, Mormon and Mexican wars, according to the History of Medical … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Law enforcement, Local government, Military, Politics, Prominent figures | Tagged | 2 Comments

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

Levi Ellis: First resident of Springfield?

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Several accounts suggest that Levi Ellis (c.1791-1857) may have been the first European to set up residence in what is now the city of Springfield, a designation often attributed to Elisha Kelly and his relatives. Ellis, born in South Carolina, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Mills, Springfield | Leave a comment

Pascal P. Enos (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Pascal Paoli Enos (1770-1832) was one of the four original owners of the land that eventually became the city of Springfield, and, as receiver in the Springfield land office, he played an influential role in the growth of the area. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Local government, Prominent figures | 1 Comment

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

Fancy Grove

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

One of the earliest but least known settlements in Sangamon County was the community of Fancy Grove. Located along the headwaters of Fancy Creek about three miles southwest of Williamsville, Fancy Grove was unique in that most of its residents … Continue reading →

Posted in Communities, Early residents, Mills | 4 Comments

First United Methodist Church

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

Early settler Charles Matheny had been an ordained Methodist circuit preacher in Kentucky, so it was only natural that he should start holding services in his home shortly after arriving in Springfield. Springfield’s First United Methodist Church considers that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents | Tagged | 3 Comments

First Presbyterian Church

Posted on October 28, 2013 by editor

The Sangamon Presbyterian Church, now First Presbyterian Church, was founded by the Rev. John Ellis on Jan. 23, 1828. The energetic Rev. John Bergen soon became the church’s first permanent pastor, and he initiated plans to construct a church building. … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Churches, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Levi and Garner Goodan (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Levi Goodan captained a company of militia, part of the Fourth Regiment of Whiteside’s Brigade, in the Black Hawk War. Among the regiment’s other three company commanders was Abraham Lincoln. Levi and his wife, Garner , lived in 1828 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Early residents, Military | 1 Comment