Galesburg in Knox County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mary A. Bickerdyke
1817 - 1901
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 19, 2023
1. Mary A. Bickerdyke 1817 1901 Marker
In recognition of her patriotic and heroic devotion to the Boys in Blue in camp, in hospital and on the field. The state of Illinois has under the auspices of the Mother Bickerdyke Memorial Association erected this statue 1904
Erected 1904 by State of Illinois and the Mother Bickerdyke Memorial Association.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, US Civil • Women.
Location. 40° 56.692′ N, 90° 22.215′ W. Memorial is in Galesburg, Illinois, in Knox County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Tompkins Street and South Cherry Street, on the right when traveling east. Located north of the Knox County Courthouse. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 200 S Cherry St, Galesburg IL 61401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Knox County Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Knox County Armed Forces Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish-American War Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Site of Galesburg Sr. High School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tompkins Street (about 300 feet away); Beecher Chapel (about 400 feet away); Lincoln-Douglas Debate (about 500 feet away); The Fifth Debate (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galesburg.
Regarding Mary A. Bickerdyke. Within a month of the Bickerdyke funeral, the women of the W.R.C. had secured a charter from the State of Illinois for the Mother Bickerdyke Memorial Association. They felt the entire state of Illinois should be honoring the memory of Mother Bickerdyke, especially the old soldiers who had served in the Civil War.
The resulting massive bronze and granite monument has occupied a part of the lawn at the
via Wikipedia, 1867
2. Mary A. Bickerdyke
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Mary Ann Bickerdyke. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 24, 2023.)
Additional commentary.
1. The surprises you find
One of the genuine joys of marker hunting is learning stories that are "new to me".
Being raised in the South, I got a full immersion into the history of the Civil War, but much of it from a Southern perspective. One forgets that there is "the rest of the story".
Nosing around Galesburg, Illinois on a work trip, I checked in on the Carl Sandburg home and the site of one of the Lincoln/Douglas debates.
I will usually visit the county courthouse, if I can. During that trip to Knox County Historical Courthouse,
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 19, 2023
3. Mary A. Bickerdyke Marker
After reading a quick bio about her on my phone, and seeing she was buried in Galesburg, I made a quick visit to her grave to pay respects.
Later that evening, I read more of her biography, and sent it to my adult daughter, who was also wowed.
This dear widow, who had such compassion for the wounded, and protected them fiercely from harm and stood up to those in power to get things done.
Her work during the Civil War was enough for eternal laurels. She added so much more in the remaining 36 years of her life after the war.
If you want to read a delicious biography about someone, this lady is worth your research.
A life well-lived, indeed!
— Submitted December 4, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2024
4. Mary A. Bickerdyke Marker and statue
Plaque is on the rear side of the Bickerdyke statue.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2024
5. Mary A. Bickerdyke statue in front of the Knox County Courthouse
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2024
6. Marker on the front side of the Bickerdyke statue
1861 Army Nurse 1865
She Outranks Me
General Sherman
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,074 times since then and 157 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 24, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
