Browse Items (22 total)

Four unknown men stand atop a telephone pole, perhaps in Dixon.

William McMurtry poses for a portrait with a cane in his right hand. McMurtry was a resident of Knox County (1829-1875), a member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1836-1840) and the Illinois Senate (1842-1849), and the state's eleventh…

John J. Hardin, a prominent resident of Jacksonville, poses for a portrait wearing a military uniform. Hardin represented Morgan County in the General Assembly, fought in the Black Hawk War and Mormon War of Hancock County, served one term in the…

An unidentified man poses for a portrait wearing a dark suit and tie.On verso: "Think this is a man who started an agricultural publication some 30 or more years ago. I went from here to Cedar Rapids, Alexander Charles."

An engraving features Nathan Boone, son of the famous Daniel Boone of Missouri. Boone fought during the War of 1812 and served under General Henry Atkinson during the Black Hawk War. Image caption: "Bring out strong"On verso: "Col. Nathan Boone (son…

Brigadier General Henry Atkinson poses for a portrait wearing a military uniform. Atkinson fought during the War of 1812, led the Yellowstone Expeditions of 1819 and 1825, and served as commander of the United States forces during the Black Hawk War.

Charles B. Farwell poses for a portrait in a dark suit coat. A resident of Lake Forest, Farwell served in the United States House of Representatives (1871-1876) and the United States Senate (1887-1891). He and his wife. Mary Eveline Smith, donated…

Chief Shabbona, a member of the Ottawa tribe and Chief of the Potawatomi in Illinois during the nineteenth century, poses for a portrait. Originally not friendly towards white expansion and Indian relocation, Shabbona fought alongside Tecumseh…

A group of unknown people ride atop early motor carriages, the precursor to the automobile.

A photograph of an oil painting of Major Thomas James features James in a military uniform. On verso: "Maj. Thomas James, from oil painting owned by his son Dr. Lewis James of Racola, Mo."

Walter Bennett Scates poses for a photograph which was later used as a memorial portrait. Scates moved to Illinois in 1831 and began practicing law. He served as States Attorney pro tem (1831-1834), Attorney General (1836), Judge of the Third…

Lorenzo D. Thompson poses for a portrait wearing a dark suit. A celebrated wrestler, Thompson defeated a young Abraham Lincoln while serving together during the Black Hawk War.

A miniature in a locket features the image of Lieutenant Robert Anderson. Anderson commanded Abraham Lincoln during the Black Hawk War, fought in the Seminole and Mexican-American Wars, and was the commanding officer of Fort Sumter at the beginning…

Augustus C. Dodge sits for a portrait. Dodge was one of the first two U.S. Senators from Iowa (1848-1855) and Minister to Spain (1855-1859) under President Franklin Pierce (1853-1857). On verso: "Augustus C. Dodge - 1 of the first 2 U.S. Senators…

Captain James Burns poses for a portrait wearing a dark shirt and suit jacket. A resident of Nashville in Washington County, Illinois, Burns fought in the Black Hawk War and the Mexican-American War.

Actress Mary Garden poses for a portrait wearing several pieces of jewelry. Garden was a popular opera performer in France and the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. Talented both as a soprano and as an actress, Garden made…

Dr. Alonzo Cressy poses for a portrait wearing a dark suit. During the Black Hawk War, Cressy attended to Native Americans sick with cholera in Chicago under General Scott. In 1936, he successfully ran for a seat in the Michigan House of…

General Milton K. Alexander poses for a portrait in a dark suit and tie. Alexander, who knew Abraham Lincoln when Lincoln practiced law in Edgar County, made a name for himself as a fighter during the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars, eventually…

Joseph Naper poses for a portrait wearing a dark suit. Naper was one of the founding members of Naperville, Illinois (est. 1831), a veteran of the Black Hawk and Mexican-American Wars, and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from…

Major Isaiah Stillman poses for a portrait wearing a large dark tie. Stillman commanded the Illinois militia in the first battle of the Black Hawk War, the Battle of Stillman's Run.

Robert M. Douglas, son of Stephen A. Douglas, sits for a portrait. Unlike his staunchly Democratic father, Robert sided with Abraham Lincoln and the Republicans, helping reconstruction efforts in the South and serving as personal secretary to…

George E. Walker, the first sheriff of LaSalle County and an Indian interpreter during the Black Hawk War, poses for a portrait. On verso: "George E. Walker First Sheriff La Salle Co."