Decatur in Macon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Coming to Illinois

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021

1. Coming to Illinois Marker

Inscription. In March 1830, the tiny hamlet of Decatur, Illinois, with a dozen log cabins in place, was greeted by a caravan of thirteen people. This was the family of Thomas and Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln. It was the first time that Abraham Lincoln saw the place where he would live nearby for the next year. Coming from Indiana at the urging of Lincoln's second cousin, John Hanks, the Lincoln family group quickly made overnight camp in the town square. Eventually, the thirteen family members settled in separate areas of the county with Abraham, his father Thomas, his stepbrother John Johnston, and his beloved stepmother Sarah, all moving to the homestead site located along the Sangamon River, approximately eight miles west of Decatur. Later, after Abraham Lincoln had attained his success as a lawyer riding the Eighth Circuit, he pointed out the approximate location where the family camped that first night to a group of his fellow lawyers. Decatur, by virtue of having Lincoln arriving there first, became the longest serving city to maintain ties to him while he lived in Illinois for the next thirty-one years — longer even than Springfield

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When Abraham Lincoln first arrived in Illinois in March 1830, Illinois was still the frontier of western migration. The region of Decatur was slowly being settled by immigrants from Kentucky, Indiana, and other states, but there were many uninhabited areas. In fact, until the railroads came to Decatur in the 1850's, the city would remain underdeveloped and small in population compared to other area county seats like Bloomington. While Lincoln lived in the area he maintained his livelihood working as a farm day-laborer. Much of the time he worked on land owned by other Hanks relations, clearing and breaking up ground for planting of crops. Much of the time he would work in exchange for goods and services. Once he split rails for James Hanks and William Miller, receiving clothing in exchange for his work.

Captions
[Top] This life-size bronze sculpture of Abraham Lincoln was done by the noted sculptor Fred Torrey and is located on the campus of Millikin University. It depicts Lincoln arriving in Illinois with an axe in one hand and a book in the other, symbolizing the choices that were then open to Lincoln. Until he had

Coming to Illinois Marker detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021

2. Coming to Illinois Marker detail

Original plat of Decatur, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln spent his first night in the state camping on the public square.

become “of age,” he had been required to hand over all of the money and goods that he had earned to his father. Now in Illinois and being twenty-one years old, this was the first time in Lincoln's life that he could keep the rewards of his labor and make decisions for himself. Courtesy of City of Decatur, Lincoln Heritage Development
[Bottom] Courtesy of City of Decatur, Lincoln Heritage Development

Erected by Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition • City of Decatur, Lincoln Heritage Development.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1830.

Location. 39° 50.472′ N, 88° 57.347′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Illinois, in Macon County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (Business U.S. 51) and East Main Street, on the left when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 S Main St, Decatur IL 62523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021

3. Coming to Illinois Marker

this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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: Lincoln on the Circuit (a few steps from this marker); Let Us All Be United (a few steps from this marker); Macon County's First Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln's First Speech (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln's First Political Speech (within shouting distance of this marker); Choosing a President (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wake Up, Lincoln! (about 400 feet away); Finding the Biggest Man (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.