Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Governor Edward Coles

1822-1826

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 23, 2021

1. Governor Edward Coles Marker

Inscription. Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois, was born into one of the wealthiest families in Virginia in 1786 and graduated from William & Mary. Although raised on a plantation, Coles was an anti-slavery advocate who persistently urged Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to free their slaves. Madison, a close friend of Coles, appointed him to serve as the president's private secretary from 1810-1815. In 1819, Coles moved to Edwardsville, freeing his slaves en route. James Monroe appointed Coles Registrar of the Federal Land Office, a position he held until elected governor in 1822. In 1824, Coles and supporters defeated a pro-slavery coalition that was calling for a new Illinois constitutional convention with the goal of making Illinois a slave state. Coles' additional accomplishments include creation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and reorganization of the state judiciary. Coles ran for Congress in 1831 but lost. In 1833, Coles left Illinois for Pennsylvania where he died in 1868.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Education • Settlements & Settlers

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• Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 38° 48.479′ N, 89° 57.322′ W. Marker is in Edwardsville, Illinois, in Madison County. It is on South Main Street (Illinois Route 159) south of West Schwartz Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 S Main St, Edwardsville IL 62025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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: Governor Ninian Edwards (here, next to this marker); Governor John Reynolds (here, next to this marker); Governor Thomas Ford (here, next to this marker); Governor Charles Deneen (here, next to this marker); The Madison County Poor Farm

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 23, 2021

2. Governor Edward Coles Marker

Marker is on the far left post. Edwardsville Public Department building is in the background.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Stephenson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of Dr. Thomas R. Yates (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwardsville.

Also see . . . Edward Coles on Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 30, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on September 30, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.