Category Archives: Prominent figures

Springfield Woolen Mills

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Woolen Mills produced woolen cloth and textiles for Central Illinois and consumers around the United States.  The mills operated from 1834 until 1906. For much of that time, the operation was housed in a three-story brick plant on … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Mills, Prominent figures | 2 Comments

Judge Lawrence Stone

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

Judge Lawrence E. Stone (1875-1946) served as a Sangamon County circuit judge and then an appellate judge from 1932 until his death. At his death, he was thought to hold the record for having his circuit-court decisions upheld by higher … Continue reading →

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John Todd Stuart

Posted on October 6, 2013 by editor

John Todd Stuart (1807-85) was Abraham Lincoln’s first law partner, a cousin of Mary Lincoln, a three-term U.S. representative and an influential resident of Springfield for 57 years. Stuart was born in Kentucky and moved to Springfield, already a lawyer, … Continue reading →

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Col. John Taylor (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

Col. John Taylor (1780-1849) was a pioneer merchant, land speculator and Sangamon County official, serving as the county’s first sheriff and as county treasurer during the 1820s. He was one of the four original proprietors of Springfield in 1824, along … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Sangamon County, Springfield | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Dr. John Todd

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

John Todd (1787-1865) was Mary Lincoln’s uncle and the de facto patriarch of the Springfield Todds. Born near Lexington, Ky., Todd received an excellent education, first becoming one of the earliest graduates of Transylvania University in Lexington, then graduating from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early residents, Prominent figures | Tagged | 3 Comments

Weaver extortion and shootout, 1930

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s police superintendent narrowly missed being shot to death while on a stakeout related to an extortion attempt aimed at a prominent businesswoman in 1930. Police superintendent T.P. Sullivan and a special police officer were patrolling near the home of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Tagged | 1 Comment

Weaver Manufacturing

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

Weaver Manufacturing, founded in Springfield by brothers Ira and Gailard Weaver, was for a time the nation’s largest manufacturer of automobile garage equipment, such as jacks, safety test equipment, hydraulic presses and other items. Ira “I.A.” Weaver (1871-1965), was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged , | 31 Comments

Susan Wilcox

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

Susan Wilcox (1866-1943) taught English and other subjects at Springfield High School for 46 years, nurturing such budding talents as Vachel Lindsay and Robert Fitzgerald. Lindsay later called Wilcox his “noblest and most faithful friend of my life.” Wilcox was … Continue reading →

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John Williams (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

John Williams (1808-90) was an early Springfield merchant and later, according to his Illinois State Journal obituary, a banker, railroad developer, mine owner and farmer. A friend and political ally of Abraham Lincoln, Williams later was a member of the … Continue reading →

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Young gentlemen at cards, 1840s (photo)

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

The four card players in this photo, thought to have been taken between 1840 and 1845, are believed to be, from left: Zimri Enos, an engineer, attorney and surveyor who left personal reminiscences that are important to understanding Sangamon County’s pioneer … Continue reading →

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