Category Archives: African Americans

Two days in May: The funeral of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on April 22, 2015 by editor

As the funeral train carrying the coffin of President Abraham Lincoln pulled into Springfield’s Chicago & Alton station the morning of May 3, 1865, dozens of special trains had already disgorged visitors from all points of the compass. Thousands more … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Historic Sites, John T. Stuart, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Local government, Railroads | 2 Comments

Nelson Howarth (Springfield mayor)

Posted on March 7, 2015 by editor

Nelson Howarth (1911-91) was the colorful, combative mayor of Springfield for three terms between 1955 and 1971. During his administrations, Springfield was named an All American city, city boundaries were greatly expanded, and the city initiated construction of a new … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Crime and vice, Law enforcement, Lincoln Home, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Springfield | 6 Comments

Artie Matthews (ragtime composer)

Posted on November 7, 2014 by editor

Acclaimed ragtime composer Artie Matthews apparently got his start as a musician in the bars and bordellos of Springfield’s old Levee district. After composing such ragtime classics as Weary Blues — later recorded by, among others, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts and letters | Leave a comment

William Washington (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Born in Springfield, William Washington graduated from Lanphier High School and Springfield Junior College.  He held various jobs until he started the Springfield’s Voice newspaper in 1972.  In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Washington talked about … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Journalism, Media, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Carmelita Hogan Washington (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Springfield native Carmelita Hogan Washington, a graduate of Feitshans High School and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, worked in human resources at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and Sangamon State/University of Illinois Springfield. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Peggie Senor (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Peggie Senor attended Feitshans High School and Springfield Junior College and married Clarence Senor in 1952; they had seven children. She later was ordained as an Elder in her church and served the ministry in various ways in Springfield and … Continue reading →

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Charles Lockhart Jr. (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Springfield native Charles Lockhart Jr. (1927-2013) played in the Feitshans High School band and Springfield’s Colored Municipal Band, then was a member of the U.S. Navy Band while in the service. Returning from the Navy, he first worked for Allis-Chalmers … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Leroy Jordan (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Leroy Jordan, who moved to Springfield in 1965, was the first Black male classroom teacher in the Springfield public schools. (The first African-American teacher overall was Mae Hammons, who began classroom teaching at Iles School in 1955.) Jordan later spent … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Education, Ethnic groups, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts | Leave a comment

Georgia Hale (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Georgia Hale, born in rural Missouri, where she attended segregated schools, moved to Springfield in 1942. Hale became the first black teller at the former Central Illinois Light Co. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Hale … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Business, Ethnic groups, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Robert Goza (African-American history interviews)

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

Robert Goza, a Missouri native, moved to Springfield in 1952 after marrying Marian Ritchie.  He was an early accounting computer specialist with the state of Illinois and active in Scouting and the NAACP.  In an interview for the Springfield African-American … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Ethnic groups, Prominent figures | Leave a comment