Category Archives: Ethnic groups

Alby’s Tavern & the Stasukinas family

Posted on January 16, 2016 by editor

Alby (Albinas) Stasukinas, son of Lithuanian immigrants Joseph and Rose (Poskevicius) Stasukinas, opened his storied tavern at 14th and Carpenter streets in 1944. Alby quit coal mining in 1940 to work at the Illiopolis munitions plant, but by 1944 he … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Business, Crime and vice, Ethnic groups, Hotels & taverns, Lithuanians, Social life | 2 Comments

Richard Pryor (comedian)

Posted on January 12, 2016 by editor

Comedian Richard Pryor (1940-2005) famously grew up in a house of prostitution operated by his father’s mother in Peoria, but he briefly lived in Springfield with his mother and maternal grandparents. Pryor’s mother, Gertrude Thomas Pryor (later Emanuel), also was … Continue reading →

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Black Civil War veterans buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery

Posted on January 9, 2016 by editor

At least 28 African-American Civil War veterans are buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, according to Kathleen Heyworth’s Private Lewis Martin and African-American Civil War Soldiers in Springfield, Illinois (2015). The following list, taken from Heyworth’s research, lists each … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Military | 1 Comment

Black Civil War soldier’s POW experience

Posted on January 8, 2016 by editor

Isaac Gaskin (ca. 1847-1900), born a slave in Mississippi, served with the 29th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War and was captured by Confederates in the botched Battle of the Crater outside Petersburg, Va., on July 30, … Continue reading →

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Jenrose Wilson (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Jenrose Wilson was born in Alton and moved to Springfield when she was 12. By age 16, she was married and had had her first child. She lived in St. Louis, Alton and Chicago before returning to Springfield, where she … Continue reading →

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Charles Wilson (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Charles Wilson was born and raised in Springfield. His grandparents raised him after his mother was killed in a car accident. While living with his grandparents, Charles discovered that his great-grandfather , William Donnegan, was a lynching victim in the … Continue reading →

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William Washington (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Born in Springfield, William Washington graduated from Lanphier High School and Springfield Junior College.  He started the Springfield’s Voice newspaper in 1972. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Washington discussed the old black-owned business neighborhoods that were … Continue reading →

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J.D. Washington (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

J.D. Washington, a native of  Little Rock, Ark., held various teaching jobs throughout Arkansas before moving to Springfield in 1970. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, he discusses  racism he saw while working in the Springfield public schools for … Continue reading →

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Laura Van Buren (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

Laura Van Buren, born and raised in Springfield, attended Feitshans High School and Brown Business School before going to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Van Buren talks about  discrimination she … Continue reading →

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Elijah Singley (African-American history interviews)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by editor

In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Elijah Singley, born in Bessemer, Ala., discusses his involvement in the civil rights movement in Virginia and Alabama. Included is his participation in the third Selma to Montgomery March, organized … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans | 1 Comment