Category Archives: Prominent figures

Carrol Hall (First Citizen)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Carrol Hall (1905-95) was a co-founder and first president of Springfield-based Horace Mann Insurance Co. In 1945, Hall joined with fellow teacher Les Nimmo to create Horace Mann (originally named the IEA Mutual Insurance Co.). The firm at first offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Education, First Citizens, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Horace Mann insurance

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Two Springfield public school teachers, Carrol Hall and Les Nimmo, founded the Illinois Education Association Mutual Assurance Co. in 1945 to market auto insurance to Illinois teachers. The company, later named Horace Mann Educators Corp. to honor the pioneering educator, soon … Continue reading →

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The horseshoe sandwich (with recipe)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

This entry was significantly expanded in December 2023. Although accounts differ, most people credit Joseph Schweska with creating the horseshoe sandwich, the locally famous open-faced combination of toast, meat and French fries covered in cheese sauce. As the story goes, … Continue reading →

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Dr. Thomas Houghan

Posted on October 24, 2013 by editor

Dr. Thomas Houghan (??-1862) built the Springfield home now known as Edwards Place in 1833. He sold it to Benjamin Edwards in 1843. Houghan was one of the first 10 physicians in Springfield and played a prominent role in local … Continue reading →

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Lyman Hubbard Sr.

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Lyman Hubbard Sr. (1927-2012) was a career U.S. Air Force pilot and the only Springfieldian to be a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed all-black World War II air squadron. Hubbard, who flew B-25 bombers during World War II, … Continue reading →

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Elijah Iles (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Elijah Iles (1796-1883) was Springfield’s first merchant and perhaps its most dynamic founder. Iles built a log store near the settlement of the John Kelly family shortly after arriving in central Illinois. Iles described his move to Sangamon County and … Continue reading →

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Thomas Cox (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by editor

Thomas Cox (1787-1844) bought out the property of the John Kelley family to become one of the four original proprietors of Springfield in 1824. (The others were Elijah Iles, Pascal Enos and John Taylor.) Cox previously was a prominent resident … Continue reading →

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Indian Queen Hotel

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

A few Springfield and Sangamon County histories mention a once-famed hostelry, now generally forgotten — the Indian Queen Hotel. Owned and operated by Archer Herndon Sr., Sr., the Indian Queen was one of the city’s best accommodations in the early 1830s. … Continue reading →

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‘Jack,’ age 5: First Black resident

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

Local researcher Richard Hart discovered evidence in early county records that the Kelly family, generally considered Springfield’s earliest settlers, were accompanied by several African-American slaves. In particular, Hart found, Henry and Mary Kelly, the parents of 1818-19 settlers Elisha and … Continue reading →

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John Hay Homes

Posted on October 22, 2013 by editor

The John Hay Homes was a 599-unit public housing complex built in 1940 in Springfield and demolished in 1997. When built, the Hay Homes replaced a slum neighhborhood known as the Badlands, and the townhouse-style complex was designed for middle-class … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Local government, Parks, Prominent figures, Social services, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments