Category Archives: Prominent figures

Rev. Stanley Yunker

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

Father Stanley Yunker (1894-1975) was pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for 47 years.

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Lincoln Tomb ‘Battle of the Gravesite’

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

Today, we take for granted that Lincoln is buried here. But we must remember that the journey from that terrible April day when Lincoln died to the day when he was placed in Oak Ridge’s receiving tomb was a tumultuous … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Presidents, Prominent figures | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Mary Lincoln letters about Lincoln Tomb site

Posted on October 25, 2014 by editor

Below is the text of letters written by Mary Lincoln during a dispute in June 1865 with the National Lincoln Monument Association. The NLMA wanted to build Springfield’s monument to President Abraham Lincoln (and his tomb) on what was called the Mather … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Sites, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Pasfield family (1830s to 1930)

Posted on September 28, 2014 by editor

Three men named George Pasfield — father, son and grandson, usually distinguished as “the first George Pasfield,” “Dr. George Pasfield” and “George Pasfield Jr.” — played major roles in the growth of Springfield over nearly a century. 1830s George Pasfield … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Early residents, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Hotels & taverns, Illinois capital, Industry, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures | 3 Comments

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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