Browse Items (15 total)

Photograph of George S. Simpson; (died 4/14/1923). Pioneer of Decatur and Macon County. He helped to build the political wigwam in in State Street in which Abraham Lincoln spoke during his presidential campaign. He served as alderman from the Third…

Photograph of Thomas Benton Shoaff, oldest active newspaper printer, Shelbyville Publisher was struck by an automobile and killed. He died 10/20/1932. Mr. Shoaff married Ella W. Lytle Nov. 15, 1871, in St. Paul Episcopal church, Brainerd, MInn. Full…

Photograph of Judge William L. Hammer (d. 5/20/1903). Hammer held the following offices: Christian Co. constable (1843-1846), Christian Co. sheriff (1846-1854), Decatur Justice of the Peace (1857-1860), Macon Co. Circuit Clerk (1860-1868), President…

Photograph of "Immortal J.N." (Jacob Newman) Free (d. 6/27/1906). Free was a wanderer who traveled throughout the United States for 50 years by riding for free on every railroad, and staying in hotels at their expense. He was considered harmlessly…

Photograph of Thomas Davis (d. 1913). He was a pioneer in Macon County, IL, and owned the first building in Macon, IL. He was the donor of the WCTU water fountain, and knew Abraham Lincoln. The Davis School east of Macon, IL is named after him. …