Pittsfield in Pike County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John G. Nicolay

Pittsfield, Illinois

— Home of John G. Nicolay President Lincoln’s Private Secretary —

John G. Nicolay Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Emily Pursley, July 28, 2019

1. John G. Nicolay Marker

Inscription. John G Nicolay met Abraham Lincoln in the fall of 1856 when he was editor of the county paper in Pittsfield. On that autumn day Pittsfield was in a ferment political excitement. A big meeting had been arranged and Nicolay was on the committee. There were two notable speakers--Lincoln and Trumbull--and as there were 100 counties to be covered it was agreed that both should not appear in any one county but one should speak in each. Nicolay watched as Trumbull greeted a stranger..the stranger was Lincoln. Through some misunderstanding both men had come to Pittsfield. As a member of the committee he was presented to Trumbull and Lincoln before the speech making began. When the first brief handshake and word of greeting on the speakers platform were over, Nicolay became an ardent personal follower of Abraham Lincoln.

Erected 2019 by Pike County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 39° 36.426′ N,

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90° 48.355′ W. Map coordinates may not be accurate

Marker is in Pittsfield, Illinois, in Pike County. It is on Washington Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsfield IL 62363, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John M. Hay (a few steps from this marker); Abraham Lincoln (a few steps from this marker); Pike County's Lincoln (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln's Pike County (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named John G. Nicolay (a few steps from this marker); Commemorating (within shouting distance of this marker); Mansion House Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of John Thomson Hodgen, M.D. and Henry Hodgen Mudd, M.D.

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(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 20 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 28, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.