Fairfield in Wayne County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Official Endorsement of Abraham Lincoln

for President of the United States

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

1. First Official Endorsement of Abraham Lincoln Marker

Inscription. This monument erected to commemorate
the first official endorsement of Abraham Lincoln
for President of the United States.

”Resolved — that Hon. Abe Lincoln is the unanimous choice
of the Republicans of Wayne County for the presidential
nomination of the National Convention at Chicago”
Wayne County Republican Convention
March 3, 1860
C. Sibley, Chairman
Fairfield, Illinois
Wm. H. Robinson, Secretary

Erected 1939.

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 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1860.

Location. 38° 22.788′ N, 88° 21.452′ W. Marker is in Fairfield, Illinois, in Wayne County. Marker is on East Main Street (Illinois Route 15) just west of Northeast 4th Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located near the southwest corner of the Wayne County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 East Main Street, Fairfield IL 62837, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. In Memory Of Those Buried At The Wayne County Poor Farm Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away).

Regarding First Official Endorsement of Abraham Lincoln.

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It was here in Fairfield that the Wayne County Republicans held their convention on March 3, 1860. There were the usual political speeches followed by resolutions. The most important resolution was the one which read: “Hon. Abe Lincoln is the unanimous choice of the Republicans of Wayne County for the Presidential nomination of the National Convention to be held at Chicago.” They appointed delegates to the state convention which met in Decatur May 9-10 and voted a similar resolution.
This monument was dedicated in October 1939. It honors the Republican Caucus of Wayne County in 1860 as the first in the nation to nominate Lincoln for the presidency.

Also see . . . Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1860. Abraham Lincoln's Classroom website entry (Submitted on June 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

2. First Official Endorsement of Abraham Lincoln Marker

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2021

3. First Official Endorsement of Abraham Lincoln Marker

(looking northeast from East Main Street • Wayne County Courthouse in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.