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A NEWSLETTER OF THE ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2010 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

NEWLY DISCOVERED PHOTOGRAPHS OF LINCOLN’S SPRINGFIELD

This photograph of the north side of the Public Square in Springfield, Illinois, circa 1860, was taken by Springfield photogra- pher Frederick W. Ingmire from the cupola of the State House, now the Old State Capitol.

Public Square (shown above), the State Richard E. Hart Recently, a relative of Ingmire in- House draped in mourning (shown on

Photographs of Lincoln’s Springfield formed me that he had a number of the back), the Mather residence, and are rare. Newly discovered ones are photographs of Springfield taken by the entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery in even rarer. Among the most familiar Ingmire in the 1860s. I thought that his May 1865. Two of these newly dis- of the known photographs are those photographs would be duplicates of the covered photographs are published in taken at the time of Lincoln’s funeral known funeral pictures. this issue and others will be published by Springfield photographer Frederick in future issues. I asked Springfield W. Ingmire—the Lincoln home and the When I received copies of the photo- historian Curtis Mann to write about Old State Capitol decorated in mourn- graphs, I was surprised to see new the photograph of the north side of the ing and Lincoln’s horse posed in front views of Lincoln’s Springfield, views I Public Square. His description follows of the Lincoln home. had never seen—the north side of the on the next page.

2 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

North Side of Public Square John McCreery

Stove and hardware dealer

By Curtis Mann John McCreery made sure Manager, Sangamon Valley Collection that every potential cus- Lincoln Library, Springfield, Illinois tomer could locate his

business stand by placing The buildings shown in this circa 1860 photograph were located in the center of his last name in large let- ters on a sign located on the north side of the Public Square—on the north side of Washington Street be- the roof of his store build- ing. A variety of stoves sit tween Fifth and Sixth streets in Spring- field, Illinois. The style of these build- in front of the building, including one on its own ings is representative of the style of com- mercial structures built in Springfield in stand. Later McCreery became the proprietor of the 1850s and 1860s—usually three sto- ries, Greek Revival or Italianate in archi- the St. Nicholas Hotel and served as the mayor of Springfield. The building hous- tectural style and built of brick with iron ing his business was owned by John W. fronts and ornate hoods above the upper Frederick W. Ingmire story windows. Most buildings were 20 Priest, who also operated a stove business feet wide. Coleman and Ayers on the north side of the square earlier.

The Pasfield Block The building just east of the Telegraph Office

Pasfield block was occupied On the far left side of the by the dry goods and gro- McCreery shared this building with the tele- photograph, one can see ceries firm of Coleman and graph office which was located on one of buildings built in 1856 by Ayers This building stood the upper stories. The telegraph line was Springfield merchant on the east twenty feet of lot carried by poles from the station at Third George Pasfield. In 1831, 6 which was purchased by and Washington streets to this building. Pasfield had acquired the three businessmen, Milford The pole for the line is located in front of building lot and on Febru- O. Reeves, Grover Ayers the building and can be seen in this photo- ary 25, 1856, a fire de- and William Wardall. These three men graph. Abraham Lincoln received confir- stroyed two of the three were in the dry goods business together. mation of his nomination as the Republican wood frame buildings located there. Party presidential candidate from this office. Reeves sold his portion of the lot and building to Ayers and Wardall in 1855. Union Herald Newspaper After the fire, Pasfield built two brick They continued to operate in business as buildings on the east portion of the prop- Ayers and Wardall at this location. War- The last full building erty. These are shown in the far left of dall and Ayers dissolved their partnership shown on the right side of the 1860 Ingmire photograph. Pasfield and by 1863 the firm of Abraham W. the photograph was the sold the west portion of the property to Coleman and Byron W. Ayers were in office of the Union Herald Dorwin and Dickey, tin shop operators operation. Coleman was the former clerk newspaper. The newspa- who had been renting from him since for Ayers and Wardall, and Byron was a per was operated as a daily 1853. Dorwin and Dickey agreed to con- son of Grover Ayers. The firm appar- and weekly by Lewis and struct a brick building of their own that ently dissolved by 1864. Company with Thomas would adjoin the two Pasfield buildings Lewis as editor. He had to the west and is not shown in this pho- Joseph B. Fosselman previously worked as a tograph. The firm of Hannon and shoemaker, merchant, and Ragsdale were the architects and builders In 1859 former druggist banker. of all three structures. Joseph B. Fosselman started a wholesale grocery and Background Structures

Pasfield finished the upper two floors for liquor business just east of This photograph also provides wonderful a hall to be used for balls, concerts and Coleman and Ayers in a views of buildings located to the north of other events. A sign reading “Concert building owned by the the Public Square. The roof and steeple Hall” can be seen between the windows Latham family. The exte- of the North Baptist Church can be seen for the second and third story. rior of Fosselman’s building above Fosselman’s store. Just beyond it is covered with signs for and to the left is the back side of the Eng- At the time the photograph was taken, the groceries, wines, liquors and lish Lutheran Church. The large Italian- occupants of the building were the Ham- cigars. Fosselman made a ate house featuring a cupola located just merslough Brothers, merchant tailors and special point to note he was left of the Lutheran Church was the resi- clothiers, and Albert L. Ide, a watch- an agent for Lill’s Premium Ale. Several dence of merchant Samuel B. Fisher, who maker and jeweler. men stand on the sidewalk in front of the lived at the northwest corner of Sixth and store sporting different styles of hats. Mason streets.

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 3

LINCOLN DAY IN SPRINGFIELD

Bayard L. Catron round and walked with President Lincoln The Fire-eaters, devout disunionists

Last year’s commemoration of Abraham on April 4 when he strode down the middle who exploited every opportunity to Lincoln’s 200th birthday surely set a high- of Richmond streets to inspect the quarters inflame public opinion and provoke water mark in ALA history not likely to be of fleeing Confederate President Jefferson Southern secession. exceeded in the next 100 years. Newly inau- Davis, the president must have seemed, if Border-state leaders, and the blowback gurated President Obama returned trium- not an apparition, God incarnate. Surely it after the Emancipation Proclamation. phantly to Springfield, where he had must have been a prophet who set them And, especially when the war was go- launched his presidential campaign two free, and was martyred just like Jesus and ing badly, the strident Copperheads, John the Baptizer before him. Northern anti-war Democrats who years before, to address the ALA banquet. Such historic moments are inevitably also demanded peace regardless of cost Aided by stunning visuals, including an or consequence, including capitula- occasions for political myth-making, which array of fanciful “death-bed scenes” of the provides the lead for this report on Lincoln tion to the South’s demand for inde- time, Fox suggested that several stark im- pendence. Day 2010. ages conveyed a sense of a family in quiet (The political landscape was littered Springfield, IL— Harold Holzer’s ALA mourning, as in a formal parlor in an upper/ with many other factions, of banquet address completed a pitch-perfect middle class Northern white Protestant course—Douglas Democrats, Aboli- encore to President Obama’s memorable home, presented so as to draw viewers in, tionists, Know-Nothings, Wide- February 12, 2009, appearance here in constituting metaphorically an invitation by Awakes—each with its agenda, Springfield. the family to share their grief as a National claims and interests, and all compli- family. cating the story.) After reminding his audience of last year’s lively media and public attention to the The afternoon symposium was convened by What treacherous political terrain Mr. Lin- many parallels (fact, fiction, and fantasy) Thomas F. Schwartz, Illinois State Histo- coln traversed to win the election! What between Obama and Lincoln, Holzer rian, in the gorgeous Hall of Representa- crushing pressures he endured as president treated us to a panoramic look at the many tives in the Old State Capitol. The mood to preserve the Union, subject not only to ways American presidents (and candidates) was subdued, respectful. Perhaps others the tides of war, but to the fickle winds of since Lincoln have used and/or abused his were somewhat awed and humbled, as I public opinion, and the shifting sands of name and words and image, regardless of was, sitting there as Lincoln had, in political allegiances. their political party or ideology. crowded narrow chairs at desks equipped with ink well and quill pen, listening to The ALA announced nine new Directors at Everyone wants a piece of Lincoln, but few speeches delivered against the backdrop of the Friday evening ceremonies. Outgoing want him whole, entire. Many are quick to a gigantic portrait of George Washington. president Dick Hart was praised for his wrap themselves in his flag, but few have Special recognition is due the committee “bold leadership” by the distinguished jurist been called to walk in his footsteps. Every- who selected “Lincoln and His Critics” as and long-serving former ALA president, one eagerly invokes Lincoln’s political this year’s theme and convened such a su- the Honorable Frank J. Williams, who also lineage. We Americans are all Lincoln perb panel; it was just the right perspective received the well-deserved Lincoln the Unionists today, aren’t we? for the 201st anniversary. Lawyer Award. The baton passed smoothly to Robert Lenz, Bloomington-Normal law- Holzer’s talk was a fascinating illustration The whole Nation (including many of us!) yer and former vice president of the ALA. of political myth-making in action, featur- gorged last year on all things Lincoln, no ing many political candidates across gen- doubt enlarging (whether clarifying or dis- So now, on to the Sesquicentennial of Lin- erational and ideological lines in American torting) his iconic place in American life as coln’s election and presidency, which I history. Not bad coverage for a 40 minute man and myth. Focusing this year instead guess officially begins this coming Novem- banquet speech! on his critics and adversaries provided a ber 6. To whet our collective appetite for leaner diet, more broccoli, quite unlike last our five-year adventure ahead, I conclude At the earlier, delicious luncheon, Richard th year’s lush spate of Lincoln biographies with a quotation from Harold Holzer’s re- W. Fox, USC professor, an expert on 19 and juicy media commentaries. cent book, Lincoln President-Elect: century American history, and also author of an important biography of American Three experts presented (lengthy) scholarly “The cannon salvo that thundered over Protestant minister and theologian Reinhold papers, followed by a lively commentator, Springfield, Illinois, to greet the sunrise on November 6, 1860, signaled not the start of a Niebuhr, shared with an attentive audience showing us the personas, character and battle, but the end of one. The bitter, raucous, a vivid portrayal of American reactions to dedication of some of Lincoln’s critics, his and exhilarating six-month-long campaign for the news of President Lincoln’s assassina- adversaries and avowed enemies. I was president of the United States was over at last. tion on the night of April 14, 1865. reminded that the price of savior status Election Day was finally dawning.” might be martyrdom by 1000 cuts, not a Bayard L. Catron, a Springfield native, is Pro- Fox showed how, especially among North- savory prospect for most, even the most ern white Protestants, his image as Savior fessor Emeritus of Public Policy and Admini- grandiose and flamboyant among us. The stration, George Washington University. Ca- of the Union, only just won and still tenu- thorny thicket of characters the panelists tron recently retired back to Springfield and has ous, immediately assumed mythic propor- described included: become a new ALA member as well as a new tions. To the Virginia Negros who gathered student of Lincoln. This was his first Lincoln Day experience.

4 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

Lincoln Day Events: The Symposium The Abraham Lincoln Association

Robert J. Lenz President

Robert A. Stuart, Jr. Vice President

Thomas F. Schwartz Secretary

Douglas M. Barringer Treasurer

Richard E. Hart Immediate Past-President

Mary F. Shepherd Executive Manager

Board of Directors

Kenneth L. Anderson J. Steven Beckett Roger D. Billings, Jr. Justin A. Blandford Roger D. Bridges Michael Burlingame Nancy L. Chapin Brooks Davis Robert J. Davis Rodney O. Davis Robert S. Eckley Guy C. Fraker Joseph E. Garrera Donald R. Graham Allen C. Guelzo Kathryn M. Harris The 2010 ALA Symposium was held in the Hall of Representatives in the Old State Capitol on the afternoon of Earl W. Henderson, Jr. Fred B. Hoffmann February 12, 2010. The symposium topic “Lincoln’s Critics” featured three noted Lincoln scholars pictured Barbara Hughett above from left to right: Eric H. Walther, associate Professor of History at the University of Houston; William David Joens C. Harris, Professor Emeritus of History at North Carolina State University; Jennifer L. Weber, assistant Pro- Thomas S. Johnson fessor of History at the University of Kansas; and commentator Dr. Matthew Holden, Jr., Wepner Distinguished Ron J. Keller Professor in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Richard W. Maroc Myron Marty Richard Mills Lucas E. Morel James W. Patton III Lincoln Day Events: The Luncheon Mark A. Plummer Shirley J. Portwood William G. Shepherd At noon on February 12, 2010, Professor Richard Fox, who Brooks D. Simpson Daniel W. Stowell teaches courses in nineteenth-century American history at the Louise Taper University of Southern California, spoke to over 150 at a lunch- Timothy P. Townsend eon held at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Fox de- Donald R. Tracy Andy Van Meter scribed American reactions to the news of President Lincoln’s Daniel R. Weinberg assassination on the night of April 15, 1865. Robert S. Willard Stewart L. Winger Kenneth J. Winkle

Fox is the author of books on two well-known admirers of Abra- ham Lincoln: Henry Ward Beecher, Trials of Intimacy: Love Honorary Directors

and Loss in the Beecher-Tilton Scandal and Reinhold Niebuhr: President Governor Pat Quinn A Biography. Most recently he published Jesus in America: Senator Richard Durbin Personal Savior, Cultural Hero, National Obsession. Now he is Senator Roland Burris writing a book treating the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination, Congressman Aaron Schock Congressman John Shimkus to be published by Norton. Justice Rita Garman Mayor Timothy J. Davlin

Emeritus Directors

New ALA Board Members Welcomed Molly M. Becker Cullom Davis Georgia Northrup The Abraham Lincoln Association is governed by a Board of Directors. On February 12, 2010,

the Board elected 9 new Directors: Douglas M. Barringer, Springfield, Illinois; J. Steven Distinguished Directors Beckett, Urbana, Illinois; Roger D. Billings, Jr., Highland Heights, Kentucky; Justin A. Bland- Mario M. Cuomo ford, Springfield, Illinois; Joseph E. Garrera, Newton, New Jersey; Dr. Donald R. Graham, Harry V. Jaffa Springfield, Illinois; Thomas S. Johnson, Rockford, Illinois; Lucas E. Morel, Lexington, Vir- Robert W. Johannsen ginia; and Shirley J. Portwood, Edwardsville, Illinois. We welcome them to the Board. Garry Wills

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 5

Harold Holzer Speaks at 201st Lincoln Birthday Banquet

Presentation of Colors by the 114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Reactivated at the 201st Lincoln Birthday Banquet.

Harold Holzer was the featured speaker at the annual banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield on the evening of February 12, 2010. Holzer is a nationally known scholar and author, former ALA Board member, and Co-chair of the U.S. Abraham Lincoln The Southeast High School Show Choir directed by Tiffany Williams led the Bicentennial Commission. He is also a frequent expert guest com- banquet attendees in singing the Star Spangled Banner. mentator on various television programs.

Retiring President Richard E. Hart is presented an award of Carl Butt, the 2009 winner appreciation by newly elected President Robert J. Lenz. of the Abraham Lincoln High School Essay contest, led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hayley McNamara and Jacob Lawhun, Joann Drake, Virginia Wil- Williamsville High School juniors, led liams and Edith Holzer enjoy- the banquet in singing the Battle Hymn of ing the banquet. the Republic.

6 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

Frank J. Williams Receives Lincoln the Lawyer Award

As a youth, Frank J. Williams began his life-long ob- session with reading and collecting anything about the Sixteenth President. He studied law and served in private practice before his appointment as Associate Justice of the Superior Court in Rhode Island from 1995 to 2001 and then his appointment as Chief Jus- tice there from 2001 to 2008. In 1976, Williams was elected to the ALA’s board of directors. As president of the ALA from 1986 to 1995, Williams expanded the Journal to a semi-annual publication. He worked aggressively at raising funds for research and confer- ences sponsored by the ALA. Here is what Robert J. Lenz said of Justice Williams.

Frank, in recognition of your years of service to the Abraham Lincoln Association, your accomplishments in the field of Lincoln scholarship, your work with the Lincoln Forum and the National Bicentennial Com- Chief Justice Frank J. Williams is presented with the Abraham Lincoln Association Lincoln the Lawyer Award by newly-elected ALA President Robert J. Lenz. mission as well as your career as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, we present to you the Lincoln the Lawyer Award.

NEW MEMBERS Paul Harmon Peter Ciotta Normal, Illinois Amherst, New York We welcome our 49 new members. Judith A. Ciesler Robert O. Ackley They reside in 14 different states and Springfield, Illinois Mundelein, Illinois one foreign country. David R. Richert Pamela Rollins Chicago, Illinois Edmond, Oklahoma Jason Beyersdorff Greg Koos Martha E. King Boulder, Colorado Bloomington, Illinois Milford, Connecticut Noellyn Mangonda D. Jeanie Cooke Jerry Ringer Marseille, France Danville, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Madge Williams Kay Coate Mr. & Mrs. Patrick C. Keefe Bloomington, Illinois Washington, Illinois O’Katie, South Carolina Shane Evans Jeanine Tew Linda Wheeler Hobart, Indiana Salt Lake City, Utah Strasburg, Virginia John Eliff Donald and Nancy Maxwell Joe Rubini Alexandria, Virginia Champaign, Illinois Park City, Utah Bill Howe Michael Tate Steve Wannemacher Rocklin, California Effingham, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Dan Deneer Sandra Carlson Julia Davis Bloomington, Illinois Springfield, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Robert G. Dever Martha Plog Albert O. Eck, Jr. Louisville, Kentucky Springfield, Illinois Springfield, Illinois Bjorn Skaptason John Groves Mary and Jim Anderson Chicago, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Bob LaPorte Laura Tischauser Edna Greene Medford Bloomington, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Bowie, Maryland Paul Kallina Jim Pratt Ralph S. McCrea Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Hammond, Indiana Vero Beach, Florida Nelson O. Ottenhausen Chuck Scholz Jodi Murphy Gulf Breeze, Florida Quincy, Illinois Urbana, Illinois Julie and Paul Meints Dan Van Haften Adrienne Osborne Ives Bloomington, Illinois Batavia, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Wally and Jan Hood Timothy Connors J. Steven Beckett Normal, Illinois Freeport, Illinois Urbana, Illinois

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 7

Logan Hay Medal Presented to Earl W. Henderson, Jr.

Earl W. Henderson, Jr., a long-time member of the ALA Board of Directors, was presented with the Logan Hay Medal at the banquet on February 12, 2009. The pres- entation was made by James W. Patton, III, and this is what Jim said about Wally.

The purpose of the Logan Hay medal is to recognize individuals who have made note- worthy contributions to the mission of the Abraham Lincoln Association. The award was established in 1967 by the Association and Logan Hay descendants in honor of Logan Hay, who played an important part in the formative years of the Association.

Our recipient, as a former chairman of the banquet committee, followed the dictum of the mission of our organization for several years by successfully organizing the annual banquet observing the anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and then later serving on that same committee.

Our medalist promoted the collection and dissemination of authentic information regarding all phases of Lincoln’s life and ca- reer by spearheading the development of the Abraham Lincoln Association Lyceum, with its collection of works primarily writ- ten by authors who were and are members of the Abraham Lincoln Association, many of whom are here tonight.

The first two recipients of this award played a large part in the life of tonight’s medalist, for they were the facilitators for the completion of a great project that would preserve and make more accessible a landmark associated with Lincoln’s life. They were Gov. Otto Kerner and Oliver J. Keller. It was with the governor’s blessing that the funding could be appropriated and with Mr. Keller’s urging that it transpired. However, it takes an architect to design a building. If you will reach into your pocket or purse and pull out a relatively new penny, you will see Lincoln standing in front of that building, the Old State Capi- tol.

It is with a great deal of pleasure and admiration that we present the Logan Hay medal to a longstanding member of this organi- zation, a veteran, a humorist, and a very competitive sailor, Earl Wallace “Wally” Henderson.

Michael Burlingame Investiture

On the evening of February 11, 2010, Michael Burlingame was invested into the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois-Springfield. The Abraham Lincoln Association was honored to share the evening with the University and to witness the colorful aca- demic investiture ceremony of our friend and ALA Board member. The event was held in the historic House of Rep- resentatives of the Old State Capitol and was attended by over 250 persons.

ALA President Richard Hart introduced Michael and an- nounced that Michael had been selected as the 2010 recipi- ent of the , a prize awarded annually for the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln or the Civil War and the most prestigious award in the field of Lincoln scholarship. The award was for Michael’s Abra- ham Lincoln: A Life, his widely acclaimed two-volume bi- ography of Lincoln.

8 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR THE PEOPLE Non-Profit Organization The Abraham Lincoln Association U.S. Postage 1 Old State Capitol Plaza PAID Springfield, Illinois 62701-1512 Springfield, Illinois Permit No. 263

Return Service Requested

This photograph of the State House in Springfield, Illinois, on May 4, 1865, was taken by Springfield photogra- pher Frederick W. Ingmire from the northwest corner of the Public Square.

For The People (ISSN 1527-2710) is published four times a year and is a benefit of membership of The Abraham Lincoln Association.