Category Archives: Education

Jabez Capps (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Jabez Capps (1796-1896), one of several energetic siblings who made their marks in both the U.S. and England, was a prominent merchant between 1819, when he arrived in Sangamon County, until 1836, when he moved away and helped found the … Continue reading →

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Concordia Theological Seminary

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

Concordia Theological Seminary educated prospective Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod clergy from 1876 until 1975 1976 on a campus north and east of 12th and Carpenter streets in Springfield. (The Missouri Synod took over the facilities after Illinois State University, a Lutheran … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Education, Germans, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 9 Comments

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

Ambidexter Institute

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

The Ambidexter Institute was a private “industrial school” that operated from 1901 until 1908 at 902 S. 12th St. (As of 2014, the building, generally known as the Judge John Taylor House, was in disrepair, but the Springfield Project, a … Continue reading →

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Home and Hospital for Fallen Women

Posted on October 25, 2013 by editor

The Home and Hospital for Fallen Women opened in 1868 at 902 S. 12th St., a building known generally as the Judge John Taylor House. The purpose of the Home and Hospital was described in 1871 in a pious, and … Continue reading →

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Carrol Hall (First Citizen)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Carrol Hall (1905-95) was a co-founder and first president of Springfield-based Horace Mann Insurance Co. In 1945, Hall joined with fellow teacher Les Nimmo to create Horace Mann (originally named the IEA Mutual Insurance Co.). The firm at first offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Education, First Citizens, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Horace Mann insurance

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Two Springfield public school teachers, Carrol Hall and Les Nimmo, founded the Illinois Education Association Mutual Assurance Co. in 1945 to market auto insurance to Illinois teachers. The company, later named Horace Mann Educators Corp. to honor the pioneering educator, soon … Continue reading →

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Illinois High School Association state champions (teams)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

This entry has been updated through 2019 and also to correct the omission of two championships won by teams from Pleasant Plains High School. Thanks to Mike Barlow (see comments) for pointing out the omissions. GIRLS Cross-country Sacred Heart-Griffin High … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Sports and recreation | 2 Comments

Illinois State University (Springfield)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

Illinois State University – no relation to the current ISU in Bloomington-Normal – operated in Springfield from 1852 to 1870. The Lutheran-backed college originally opened in Hillsboro in 1847, when it was officially named the Literary and Theological Institute of … Continue reading →

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Leslie Nimmo

Posted on October 14, 2013 by editor

Les Nimmo (1905-2003) was a co-founder and the first chief executive officer of the Horace Mann insurance company, which is headquartered in Springfield. Nimmo, born in Waggoner, taught in the Springfield public schools for 18 years.  In 1945, he joined … Continue reading →

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