My Good Friend Marker

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Bloomington in McClean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

My Good Friend
Judge David Davis - Mansion
— Looking for Lincoln —

Looking for Lincoln - - My Good Friend Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008

1. Looking for Lincoln - - My Good Friend Marker

Inscription. The frame house (left) that once stood on the site of this Victorian mansion was the home of Abraham Lincoln’s trusted friend, legal associate, and political manager, David Davis (1815-1886). The two-story structure closely resembled Lincoln’s Springfield home. But the setting was very different. Built on the outskirts of Bloomington, Davis’s home was the center of a large farm. There were pastures, orchards, and flower gardens planted by David’s wife, Sarah. Rows of trees lined the drive that stretched from the house to Jefferson Street. In 1870, Judge Davis, who had been appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lincoln, moved the building to make way for the elegant mansion that you see today.

Abraham Lincoln Sometimes Stayed at The Davis Home during visits to Bloomington.
One memorable stay occurred during Lincoln’s 1858 senatorial campaign against Stephen A. Douglas. McLean County Republicans pulled out all the stops in preparing for Lincoln’s September fourth speech in the courthouse square. At 2:30 P.M., a procession marched to the Davis home to escort Lincoln to town in style. A number of banners bobbed over the marchers, among them “one of the prettiest that we have ever seen displayed at a political meeting” carried by German Americans who headed the parade. “The procession

By Courtsey - "Looking for Lincoln", October 5, 2008
2. Davis' Old Frame Home - Stood on this Site

marched to the residence of Judge Davis.... and halted in front of the gate. Two carriages... proceeded to the door of Judge Davis’s residence. The large crowd in front of the gate waited patiently until Mr. Lincoln made his appearance, when they gave him ‘three times three.’" It was, as the Bloomington Pantagraph reported, "a magnificent demonstration."

Abraham Lincoln Remained an enduring presence in David Davis’s life. On the day that Lincoln died, his twenty-one-year-old son Robert sent a telegram to Bloomington, begging Davis to take charge of the murdered president’s affairs. Davis agreed, managing the estate and securing the president’s papers in a Bloomington bank vault. He also served as “Tad” Lincoln’s legal guardian and advised Robert regarding his mother’s care. At Davis’ funeral in 1886, Robert Lincoln sat among the mourners in the mansion parlor and rode in the procession of carriages, accompanying the body to its grave. Robert later recalled, “Upon my father’s death I went to the Judge as a second father, and this he was to me until his death. I am deeply indebted to him for counsel and affectionate help on many occasions and revere his memory.”

Erected 2008 by Looking for Lincoln and the City of Bloomington.

Marker series. This marker is included in the

Mansion Drive Way Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008

3. Mansion Drive Way

Looking for Lincoln marker series.

Location. 40° 28.899′ N, 88° 58.841′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Illinois, in McClean County. Marker is at the intersection of Davis Avenue and Monroe Drive, on the right when traveling north on Davis Avenue. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bloomington IL 61701, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 18 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. David Davis Mansion (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln The Lawyer (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War II War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 11.9 miles away); a different marker also named Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 17.4 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Looking for Lincoln. Many resouses to aid in hunting for Lincoln through out History and Illinois. Check out the hot buttons for excellent child related activities in hunting for Lincoln. (Submitted on October 9, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. Travel with Lincoln. Climb into Lincoln’s buggy and take a trip with Lincoln and his fellow lawyers on the job traveling Illinois as Circuit Lawyers. See all the Lincoln Circuit Markers (and a surprise or two), in the order of his travels while a member of the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District (of Illinois) during 1847-1857. Use the “First >>” button in the upper right to see these markers in sequence, starting from Springfield. (Submitted on October 17, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

The Davis Mansion Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008

4. The Davis Mansion

3. Looking for Lincoln Video - on P.B.S. Follow Henry Louis Gates, Jr. "...from Illinois, to Gettysburg, to Washington, D. C., and face to face with people who live with Lincoln every day...". (Submitted on October 22, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)