Category Archives: Prominent figures

Charles Boyd (1828 pioneers)

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

Charles Boyd (1794-1881) was a tailor who lived in Springfield from 1820 to 1830. A family history credits him with building the third cabin, first brick chimney and first dry well in Springfield, as well as making the first tax … Continue reading →

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John Bressmer Co.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

The John W. Bressmer Co. was founded as a dry goods store in 1861 and later expanded into a full-fledged department store, selling men’s and women’s clothing, furniture and household items. With Myers Brothers, it was one of downtown Springfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Business, Department stores, Disasters, Historic Sites, National Register, Prominent figures | 15 Comments

Rev. Henry Brown

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Rev. Henry Brown (1823-1906) was an African Methodist Episcopal preacher in Springfield and elsewhere. He worked in various capacities for the Abraham Lincoln family and led “Old Bob,” the Lincoln family horse, in President Lincoln’s funeral procession. He also was … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Churches, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Bunn family

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Grocer Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-97) and his younger brother John Whitfield Bunn (1831-1920) began a family whose energy and initiative have helped mold Springfield for more than 150 years.  Their business interests have ranged from the original Springfield Marine Bank … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Bunn-O-Matic Corp.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

George Regan Bunn (1915-2002), while managing the Capitol Wholesale Grocery Co. in the mid-1950s, started a division dedicated to coffee brewing equipment. In 1957, he perfected the world’s first flat-bottomed fluted paper coffee filter, a step that revolutionized coffee brewing, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | 4 Comments

Cantrall

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

The community of Cantrall had its beginnings in the winter of 1818-19, when Stephen England and two of his sons-in-law, Andrew Cline and Wyatt Cantrall, traveled through Springfield to the north side of the Sangamon River.  There, each of the … Continue reading →

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William and Margaret Carpenter

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

This entry has been edited to correct the death date of Margaret Carpenter and to correct the size of Carpenter Park. Carpenter Park and Carpenter Street are among legacies of the family of William (1787-1859) and Margaret Carpenter (1803-83), who … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Mills, Prehistory, Prominent figures, Sangamon River, Transportation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Carpenter’s Mill

Posted on October 30, 2013 by editor

Carpenter’s Mill, a saw and grist mill, was built in 1845 near where modern Business Route 55 crosses the Sangamon River south of Sherman. The rock cut where the old road went through the bluff is still visible. The mill … Continue reading →

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Catholic bishops

Posted on October 30, 2013 by editor

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has had nine bishops since 1857, counting from the period when the seat of the diocese was in Alton (the planned original seat was Quincy, but no bishop was installed before the location … Continue reading →

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Chapman Laundry

Posted on October 30, 2013 by editor

The Edwards & Chapman Laundry was founded in 1905 by H.C. “Kelly” Edwards (1872-1938) and Alvin Chapman (1873-1958) and grew rapidly, moving into its own specially constructed building in the 100 block  of West Cook Street in 1908. The 26,500-square-foot … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged | 8 Comments