Several
years ago, the Civil War soldier
monument that stood on the Logan
County Courthouse grounds for
decades went down in a wind storm. A
statue committee was formed to get
it repaired. When funds had been
raised, sculptor David Seagraves was
contracted to do the repair.
It was noted then that the
courthouse grounds were lacking a
monument to the county and city's
most famous forefather, Abraham
Lincoln. The committee looked at
what might be possible, and then
determined to continue on in pursuit
of another statue. They chose to
represent A. Lincoln from the day as
he stood on the Logan County
Courthouse steps in a debate against
Stephen A. Douglas in 1858.
Remaining funds from the Civil War
soldier statue project were rolled
over to the new project and a
campaign begun.
Chuck Conzo of the Statue
Committee said that the county and
other individuals and organizations
purchased replicas in an effort to
help raise money to pay for the
full-sized statue. All thirty
numbered miniatures were reported
sold as of Friday last week.
A grant was also obtained from the
Wood’s Foundation to aid with costs
for the display.
Conzo said that efforts to have
the statue constructed began a
couple of years ago. Conzo thanked
the Logan County Board and State’s
Attorney Jonathan Wright for their
assistance in this project.
“We should have the statue completed
later this year or early next year,”
said Conzo.
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While a legislator for the state of
Illinois, Abraham Lincoln was the
foremost person instrumental in the
establishment of Logan County, a
split from Sangamon County. This
year, Logan County is celebrating
its 175th Anniversary.
In December 1864, 150 years ago,
Lincoln, Illinois was chosen as the
site for Lincoln University, the
first college to be named for our
16th President during his lifetime.
Ground for the first building was
broken on Feb. 12, 1865, the
President's birthday. University
Hall has been preserved and is still
in use on the campus, now called
Lincoln College.
April 15, 2015 marks the 150th
Anniversary of the death of this
great President. A recreated funeral
train will once again pass through
Lincoln, Illinois en route to the
President's final resting place,
Springfield, Illinois.
This year or next year, a new statue
in honor of Abraham Lincoln would be
a welcome and timely addition to our
community.
[By DEREK HURLEY/LDN]
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