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Danville in Vermilion County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

American Revolutionary War Memorial

— Vermilion County, Illinois —

 
 
American Revolutionary War Memorial - - Vermilion County, Illinois Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, August 20, 2008
1. American Revolutionary War Memorial - - Vermilion County, Illinois Marker
Dedication and List of Names are on side walk in front of the Marker. (Click photo to see Details.)
Inscription.
Statue Erected
by
Daughters of the American Revolution
in Memory of Soldiers of the War for Independence
who are buried in Vermilion County.

William Adams • David Baird • Jacob Gundy • Hugh King • Thomas Morton • Joseph Coughran • George Fithian • Thomas Makemson • John Frazier • James Hals • David Herrington • Zachariah Robertson • Kinzer Dickerson • Robert Brownfield • William Harris
 
Erected 1915 by Governer Bradford Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
 
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial EraPatriots & PatriotismWar, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list.
 
Location. 40° 7.719′ N, 87° 37.794′ W. Marker is in Danville, Illinois, in Vermilion County. Marker is on North Vermilion Street north of East Harrison Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker sits in middle of block. Curb side parking with easy access. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville IL 61832, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lindley Sign Post Forest (within shouting distance of this marker); Women's War Memorial
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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Temple / Danville USA (about 800 feet away); Major Kenneth D. Bailey (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abraham Lincoln at Danville Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Lincoln's Danville Friends (approx. ¼ mile away); Workers Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.
 
More about this memorial. The sculpture, known as the "Minuteman," bears a traditional Revolutionary War uniform and a tricorn hat. It was designed by Henry Bacon (1866-1924), sculpted by Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), and cast at the Jno. Williams, Inc. foundry in New York. The four foot tall bronze statue is on a 8½ foot tall granite base. The granite fountain is three feet tall by five feet wide.
 
Additional commentary.
1. Zachariah Robertson
My great, great, great, great grandfather, Zachariah Robertson, Sr. is listed on the American Revolutionary War Memorial in Danville, IL. I was wondering who the
American Revolutionary War Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, June 30, 2010
2. American Revolutionary War Memorial Marker
In late 2009, Patriot George Fithian's name was added to this marker, immediately below that of Joseph Coughran's.
contributing artist was for the bronze sculpture and from whom this statue is inspired. Thank you.
Editor's Note: Basic information about the statue is now posted in the More about this marker section above. Regrettably, the sculptor's inspiration is unknown at this time. Perhaps a future viewer can provide more detail.
    — Submitted November 23, 2008, by Megan Llewellyn Henry of Auburn, Alabama.

2. Dedication of the Memorial
This article appeared in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Volume VIII, April, 1915, to January, 1916, Pp. 499-503.

It was a Friday afternoon, September 3, 1915 in front of the Federal Building at Danville, Illinois... “In the presence of a tremendous crowd, (that) the memorial fountain, erected (by the “Governor Bradford Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution”) to the memory of the Revolutionary soldiers who are buried in Vermilion County, was unveiled...”

“Many notables were in attendance and the principal addresses were delivered by” W. R. Jewell - Danville, James M. White - of the University of Illinois, Dr. Otto L. Schmidt - of Chicago, President of the Illinois State Historical Society, and Illinois Senator Joseph G. Cannon.

“Miss Lottie
Lower Part of Marker use to be a Drinking Fountain image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, August 20, 2008
3. Lower Part of Marker use to be a Drinking Fountain
E. Jones, chairman of the fountain committee, formally dedicated and presented the fountain to the government: Adjutant General Frank S. Dickson, commanding the Illinois National Guard, making the response.”

After the speeches... “The fountain was unveiled by nine children, who are lineal descendants of the men of ‘76 who sleep their last sleep...” The nine children were: Sara Swaim, Grace Katherine Young, Joseph Campbell, Katherine Janet Yeomans, Francis Christman, Marjorie Gunn, Robert Moreland, Barbara Mann, and Jean Almy.” It was after 5:00 P. M. before the last was finished and the silken ribbon was pulled to disclose the bronze soldier.
    — Submitted January 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.

3. Corrections, comment
Regarding the inscribed names, one should be "Brownfield" instead of Brownihad. Also, you are missing "George Fithian."

Regarding Zachariah Robertson question:
Acc'd to the Smithsonian database, the base was designed by Henry Bacon (1866-1924) and the sculpture by Daniel Chester French (1850-1931). Additional research from the article below indicates the statue was actually executed by Paul Manship.

"Shortly after Manship returned to the United States (from Rome)in the autumn of 1912, French recommended
Plaque Above Old Drinking Fountain on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, August 20, 2008
4. Plaque Above Old Drinking Fountain on Marker
him for two commissions: ..., the other was for a bronze statue of a Revolutionary War soldier for Danville, Illinois (1913-14), for which French designed the memorial setting and oversaw contract and production details. His largesse is summarized in a December 1913 letter in which he told Manship, "Your success is a great satisfaction to me.""

Daniel Chester French, Paul Manship, and the "John Pierpont Morgan Memorial" for the Metropolitan Museum Author(s): Thayer Tolles Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol. 41 (2006), pp. 171-193, 16, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
    — Submitted June 22, 2010, by Alan Gornik of Western Springs, Illinois.

4. Up-Date & Corrections::
I wish to “Thank You” Alan Gomik ! Your review of needed ‘corrections’ and ‘insightful added material’ - is excellent and greatly appreciated ! !

While taking an updated photo, the sun hampered a clear shot of all the names. Indeed you were correct in the spelling of “Brownfield” and the need to add “George Fithian”. My limited photo is attached. Corrections are processed.

The ‘Open Forum’ nature of HMDB may let stand some original statements - to allow for the continued understanding of the discussion and evolving revelation of facts.

A Great Job
Wide View - - American Revolutionary War Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, March 25, 2009
5. Wide View - - American Revolutionary War Memorial
Alan ! Again - Thank You ! !
    — Submitted July 1, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.
 
Looking South - - American Revolutionary War Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, March 25, 2009
6. Looking South - - American Revolutionary War Memorial
Looking North - - American Revolutionary War Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, March 25, 2009
7. Looking North - - American Revolutionary War Memorial
Washington, D. C.'s "Lincoln's Memorial" and Danville's "American Revolutionary War Memorial" were designed by the same men. Henry Bacon designed the stone work of both, and Daniel Chester French did the sculptures.
American Revolutionary War Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By John R. Caughron, Sr., circa 1995
8. American Revolutionary War Memorial Marker
"The Minuteman" as he may have looked in 1915. His patina was polished away sometime prior to 1995, revealing the bright surface underneath.
Names Listed (on sidewalk ) in front of Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Al Wolf, August 20, 2008
9. Names Listed (on sidewalk ) in front of Marker
In 2009, George Fithian's name was added. This is how the names appaerd before the oversight was corrected.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 9,462 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2024, by Carolyn Sanders of Plano, Texas. Photos:   1. submitted on August 21, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.   2. submitted on July 1, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.   3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.   5, 6, 7. submitted on March 26, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.   8. submitted on December 9, 2009, by John R. Caughron, Sr. of Center Point, Iowa.   9. submitted on August 21, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024