Small Alewive (Herrings) Quickly Grow to Maturity. |
Thursday, April 4, 2024
What Happened to all the Alewives in Lake Michigan?
Monday, April 1, 2024
Elizabeth, Illinois, home to the Apple River Fort State Historic Site.
As legend has it, three women, all named Elizabeth, stood shoulder-to-shoulder, successfully defending the Apple River Fort during the 1832 Black Hawk War. In their honor, what had been known as the Apple River Settlement was renamed the village of Elizabeth.
The anecdote states that three women, all named Elizabeth, bravely defended the Apple River Fort during the Black Hawk War in 1832.
- Elizabeth Armstrong was particularly praised for her leadership and courage, motivating and assisting those inside the fort.
- Elizabeth Van Volkenburg (incorrect: Von Voltinburg)
- Elizabeth Winters.
These women undoubtedly played important roles. They assisted in helping anyway they could. Reloading weapons, molding musket balls, nursing, etc. They showed unwavering resolve during the attack.
Friday, March 8, 2024
President Abraham Lincoln's Personal Valet, William Henry Johnson, a free Negro.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Elias Kent Kane was a key figure in the constitutional convention that drafted Illinois' constitution in 1818.
Elias Kent Kane left a lasting mark on the state of Illinois. Born in New York City in 1794, Kane pursued a legal education at Yale University. Shortly after graduating, he ventured west, finding himself in Nashville, Tennessee, for a brief period before moving on to Kaskaskia, then the capital of the Illinois Territory, in 1814. Kane's arrival proved fortuitous as he was quickly elevated to a territorial judge position, marking the beginning of an influential political career.
As Illinois moved toward statehood in 1818, Kane was a central delegate to the state's constitutional convention. He became a key figure in shaping the state's fundamental laws and earned the nickname "Father of the Illinois Constitution." In the same year, Kane was appointed Illinois' first Secretary of State. Ever ambitious, Kane won election to the United States Senate in 1824, serving as a Democratic senator until his untimely death in 1835.
Elias Kent Kane is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, at 501 West Holmes Street, Chester, Illinois, in the Kane family plot. The cenotaph[1] monument is located at the Congressional Cemetery at 1801 East Street SE, Washington, D.C., which was erected in Kane's honor because he died while serving in office as a United States Senator from Illinois. |
Born: June 7, 1794, New York City
Education: Graduated from Yale College in 1813
Initial Career: Briefly practiced law in Nashville, Tennessee, before moving to Kaskaskia, Illinois Territory in 1814. He was appointed as a territorial judge almost immediately.
Move to Illinois: Relocated to Kaskaskia, Illinois Territory in 1814 and was quickly appointed a territorial judge.
Constitutional Convention: A pivotal delegate to the 1818 convention that drafted the Illinois State Constitution.First Secretary of State: Kane held the first-ever position as Secretary of State of Illinois from 1818 to 1824.U.S. Senate: Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1824, serving from 1825 until he died in 1835. He was reelected in 1831.First Secretary of State (1818-1824): Kane held the first-ever position as Secretary of State of Illinois.U.S. Senator (1825-1835): Elected as a Democratic-Republican (later Jacksonian Democrat) to the U.S. Senate, where he served for two terms.
Democratic Party: A member of the Jacksonian Democratic Party.Advocate of Internal Improvements: Kane championed infrastructure development in Illinois, supporting projects like the Illinois and Michigan Canal.Land Policy: Played a significant role in shaping land policy in Illinois.Kane County: Though he never lived within its borders, Kane County, Illinois, was named in his honor in 1836.Jacksonian Democrat: Kane was a strong supporter of President Andrew Jackson.Advocate of Internal Improvements: Kane championed infrastructure development in Illinois, supporting projects like the Illinois and Michigan Canal.Controversial Figure: His political alliances and dealings made him a somewhat controversial figure. Some historians argue he used his positions for personal and political gain.
Died: December 12, 1835, in Washington, D.C., at age 41.Burial: Initially interred in a family cemetery, then reinterred at Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Illinois.Kane County, Illinois: The county is named in his honor.
Friday, February 23, 2024
Daniel Pope Cook (Congressman, landowner).
Cook’s role in the development of Springfield confused the writers of an early county history and of a number of historical articles, all of which list Cook as one of the city’s four original proprietors. As explained above, his interest was real, but deed records do not show Cook buying land then.
1855 Springfield map shows Cook's land holdings in Springfield, Illinois. His purchases from Iles are in blue; those from Enos are in green. Cox purchase not shown. |
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The New Cook County Flag, Explained. (2021)
Looks Great! |
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Lucy Ella Gonzales Parsons: A Force in the Fight for a Better World.
George Markstall, second husband of Lucy Parsons, blind anarchist whose first husband was hanged for his part in the Haymarket riot of 1886, died last night in Belmont Hospital of burns suffered in the same that took Mrs. Parsons' life Saturday. She was burned to death in the flat they occupied at 3130 North Troy Street. Markstall, 72 years old, tried unsuccessfully to save Mrs. Parsons from the burning building. Firemen Found him overcome in a bedroom. Mrs. Parsons, 91 years old, was found dead in the kitchen.
Source: Chicago Tribune, Monday, March 09, 1942, pg 16.
The late labor history scholar Bill Adelman wrote what is the definitive story of Haymarket. A paragraph from his description indicates the significance of the event and the horrors that all involved endured:"The next day, martial law was declared in Chicago and throughout the nation. Anti-labor governments around the world used the Chicago incident to crush local union movements. In Chicago, labor leaders were rounded up, houses were entered without search warrants, and union newspapers were closed down. Eventually, eight men, representing a cross-section of the labor movement, were selected to be tried. Among them were (Albert) Parsons and a young carpenter named Louis Lingg, who was accused of throwing the bomb. Lingg had witnesses to prove he was over a mile away at the time. The two-month-long trial ranks as one of the most notorious in American history. The Chicago Tribune even offered to pay money to the jury if it found the eight men guilty."
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Scam email about Mammoth and Mastodon Ivory Sales in Illinois.
Online Reporting: You can file a complaint online through the IDNR's Turn in Poachers Website: https://dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement/target-poachers.htmlPhone: You can call the IDNR's Conservation Police hotline at 1-800-252-8934.
Online Reporting: You can file a report through the USFWS's National Wildlife Service Tip Line: https://www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tipsPhone: You can call the USFWS's Division of Law Enforcement at 1-800-847-7353.
Online Reporting: You can submit an anonymous tip through Wildlife Crime Stoppers' Website: https://wildlifecrimestoppers.org/contact-us/
Friday, December 29, 2023
President Abraham Lincoln's New Year's Events.
Here's a glimpse into Lincoln's notable New Year's:
The Presidency Sure Took Its Toll On Abraham Lincoln. |
It's rumored that Mary Lincoln may have baked Abraham's favorite dessert: Gingerbread with an Apple and Brown Sugar Topping.
Copyright © 2023 Dr. Neil Gale. All rights reserved.
Friday, December 15, 2023
The City of Chicago's First Foot Steps.
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Grant Park Stadium was renamed Soldier Field at the urging of Chicago’s Gold Star Mothers on November 11, 1925.
According to the Chicago History Museum, the stadium was never officially known as Municipal Grant Park Stadium. The name was used in some news articles and promotional materials, but it was never officially adopted by the city or the Chicago Park District (founded on July 1, 1934).
In 1968, Soldier Field hosted the first Special Olympics. The City of Chicago changed the address of Soldier Field to 1410 Special Olympics Drive on June 24, 2018. This was done to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Special Olympics and to recognize the stadium's role as the birthplace of the movement.
- The 1926 Army-Navy Football Game.
- The second Dempsey-Tunney World Championship boxing match.
- The University of Notre Dame has played 13 football games at Soldier Field, including. Notre Dame defeated Northwestern 13-6 on November 22.
- Opening day Century of Progress ceremonies were held in Soldier Field on May 27, 1933.
Ticket № 3. Opening Day World Fair Ceremonies at Soldier Field. |
- The January 5, 1986, NFL Divisional playoffs and the January 12 Championship games were held at Soldier Field, leading to the Chicago Bears winning Super Bowl XX against New England Patriots, 46 to 10, in the Louisiana Superdome on January 26, 1986.
- Three 1994 FIFA World Cup Games Held at Soldier Field:
- June 17, 1994: The opening ceremony, emceed by Oprah Winfrey, and the opening game, featuring defending champion Germany.
- June 21, 1994: Germany vs. Spain.
- July 2, 1994: Germany vs. Belgium; Brazil won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Abraham Lincoln, "Judge."
The fact that Abraham Lincoln served briefly as a judge ("judge pro tem") should not be too surprising. Even as a young man in New Salem, he was constantly being called upon to reconcile or referee cockfights, horse races, and fistfights. He was a "natural" peacemaker and arbitrator. This characteristic helped lead to his rise to being one of the most well-known and respected lawyers in the entire state of Illinois.
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Monday, September 18, 2023
President Abraham Lincoln's Accomplishments.
Oil painting of Abraham Lincoln by artist and sculptor Richard R. Miller |