Category Archives: Prominent figures

Hunger march blockade, 1933

Posted on January 29, 2018 by editor

Police cordoned off Sangamon County in April 1933 to quell a planned “hunger march” on the Statehouse by unemployed people from around Illinois. Springfield Mayor John “Buddy” Kapp summed up authorities’ opinion of the demonstration: “The law enforcing officers of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Depression, Illinois capital, Labor unions, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, State government | Leave a comment

First electrified home

Posted on December 3, 2017 by editor

The first Springfield home to be equipped with electric lights reputedly was the palatial residence of Frank and Sarah Jones Tracy. It’s not clear when Frank W. Tracy, a banker and civic leader, had the lights installed. The date probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Local government, Prominent figures, Social life, Springfield | 6 Comments

First electric lights

Posted on November 25, 2017 by editor

Many Springfieldians got their first exposure to electric lights from two traveling circuses in 1880. Within a year, however, the city’s first power station was powering 10 “very brilliant” lights downtown, and a group of prominent businessmen had created the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Old Settlers Society of Sangamon County

Posted on November 19, 2017 by editor

Thousands of Sangamon Countians once turned out for the annual reunions of the county’s Old Settlers Society. The events featured games, lavish picnics, speechifying and recognition of some of the county’s earliest residents. The organization began with an appeal in … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Sangamo Monitor

Posted on November 12, 2017 by editor

The Sangamo Monitor, published from 1873 until 1898, for a time sold more copies than either the Illinois State Journal or Illinois State Register. Most of the credit goes to Thomas Winfield Scott Kidd (1828-1904), the Monitor’s popular, freewheeling publisher. … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, Media, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Newsboys vs. the mayor, 1921

Posted on October 30, 2017 by editor

When a newsboy stiffed Mayor Charles Baumann out of 2 cents change, Baumann ordered city police to dismantle every news stand in downtown Springfield. But the newsboys had allies of their own, including an influential group of civic-minded women. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Communications, Journalism, Local government, Media, Prominent figures, Public health, Springfield Survey | Leave a comment

Hiram Shumate (last Civil War veteran)

Posted on October 16, 2017 by editor

Sangamon County’s last Civil War veteran, Hiram Shumate of Riverton, died, at age 98, on New Year’s Day 1948. At the time of his death, Shumate had been state commander of the dwindling Grand Army of the Republic since 1940 … Continue reading →

Posted in Markers, Military, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Vincent T. Wasilewski (National Association of Broadcasters)

Posted on October 15, 2017 by editor

Vincent T. Wasilewski, who grew up in Cantrall, went on to play a role in some of the 20th century’s most controversial debates over broadcasting rights and responsibilities. Wasilewski (1922-99) was president of the National Association of Broadcasters from 1965 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

World War I memorial, First Street and North Grand Avenue (updated)

Posted on October 7, 2017 by editor

Update note: Sangamon County’s memorial to those who died in World War I was moved from First Street and North Grand Avenue to the war memorials section of Oak Ridge Cemetery in September 2019. Wording was added honoring all Illinoisans … Continue reading →

Posted in Lincoln Tomb, Markers, Military, Prominent figures, Women | 2 Comments

The Sternaman brothers (football pioneers)

Posted on September 16, 2017 by editor

This article has been expanded twice. Added were: more information about Joey Sternaman; William Barry Furlong’s account of how Dutch Sternaman bowed out as co-owner of the Chicago Bears; Jeff  Davis’ account of the deterioration of the relationship between Dutch … Continue reading →

Posted in Amusements, Prominent figures, Sports and recreation | Leave a comment