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

Wake Up, Lincoln!

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021

1. Wake Up, Lincoln! Marker

Inscription. The second day of the 1860 Illinois State Republican Convention, May 10th, arrived bright and sunny. While many of the events that would mark this Convention occurred on May 9th, including the “Railsplitter” demonstration, May 10th would be the day that proved most important to Abraham Lincoln: the day he was nominated by the Illinois State Republicans as their presidential candidate. Delegate John Palmer spoke: “Resolved, that Abraham Lincoln is the first choice of Illinois for the Presidency, and that our delegates be instructed to use all honorable means for his nomination by the Chicago convention, and to cast their votes as a unit for him.” Immediately, a few Illinois delegates who supported William Seward of New York, most notably Thomas J. Turner of Freeport, Illinois attempted to amend the resolution to allow delegates to the Republican National convention to vote for any candidate in case the nomination of Abraham Lincoln were to fail. However, this attempt was soundly defeated, and the nomination for Abraham Lincoln was completed to the “wild enthusiasm” of the delegates.

But where was the candidate during all this commotion? According to one witness to the events, Decatur banker Lowber Burrows, Abraham Lincoln had quietly left the Convention and taken refuge in the back room of a jewelry store owned by Jim Peake. Lincoln went there because he preferred rest to mingling with the delegates. Once the members of the Convention realized Lincoln was not there, they formed a committee of three members to find the wayward candidate. Eventually the committee located him, and Lincoln, when told he was needed at the Convention, supposedly responded, “Gentlemen if it is all the same to you I would rather stay here and sleep.” But he returned to the Convention, accepting the nomination with “the affectionate
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gratitude of his heart.”

Captions/credits:
[Top] This early bird's-eye map of Decatur shows the location site of the Convention and of Peake's jewelry store. Courtesy of City of Decatur, Lincoln Heritage Project
[Bottom] Courtesy of City of Decatur, Lincoln Heritage Project

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: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1860.

Location. 39° 50.491′ N, 88° 57.271′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Illinois, in Macon County. It is at the intersection of North Water Street and East Main Street, on the right when traveling south on North Water Street. Marker is mounted on a streetlight post. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 148 E Main St, Decatur IL 62523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Wake Up, Lincoln! Marker detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021

2. Wake Up, Lincoln! Marker detail

Bird's eye view of Decatur showing the Convention site and Peake's jewelry store, where Abraham Lincoln reportedly had snuck off to nap as he was being nominated for the presidency.

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: Finding the Biggest Man (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railsplitter Candidate (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln's First Political Speech (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Choosing a President (about 300 feet away); Lincoln's First Speech (about 300 feet away); Lincoln on the Circuit (about 300 feet away); Coming to Illinois (about 400 feet away); Lincoln's Legacy (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Photographed by Duane Marsteller, October 10, 2021

3. Wake Up, Lincoln! Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.