Oxford Township near Woodhull in Henry County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Benjamin Dann Walsh
From Chicago he moved to a farm near Cambridge where he remained for thirteen years. In 1851 he moved to Rock Island and engaged in the lumber business until 1858. Thereafter, he devoted himself to his long-time hobby of entomology and was soon a recognized leader in the field. His first published entomological work appeared in 1860. In his lifetime he published 385 titles plus an additional 478 in collaboration with Charles V. Riley, another well-known entomologist. Walsh contributed regularly to the Prairie Farmer. Valley Farmer. and Illinois Farmer, was an editor of the Practical Entomologist, and was co-founder and editor of the American Entomologist with Riley. His private collection numbered 30,000 insects. His insect studies impressed scientists and, perhaps more important, agriculturalists. He was one of the first to advocate that farmers use scientific methods to control insects.
His death on November 18, 1869, resulted from a railroad accident near Rock Island.
Erected 1999 by Illinois Department of Transportation • Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 41° 14.019′ N, 90° 19.987′ W. Marker is near Woodhull, Illinois, in Henry County. It is in Oxford Township. Marker can be reached from Interstate 74 at milepost 28 when traveling east. Marker is in the picnic area of Krisala Baka Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alpha IL 61413, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Benjamin Dann Walsh (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Swedish Methodist Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); Swedish Methodist Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Jenny Lind Chapel (approx. 4.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Jenny Lind Chapel (approx. 4.4 miles away); Andover Lutheran Church Veterans (approx. 4˝ miles away); First Swedish Methodist Parsonage in the World (approx. 4.6 miles away); Tourist Information (approx. 4.7 miles away).
More about this marker. An identical marker is also located in the westbound Krisala Baka Rest Area.
Also see . . . Buried Stories: Benjamin Dann Walsh, 1808-1869. He would be seen around Rock Island with staff, net and wearing a cap on which he pinned his specimens. (Bruce Walters, River Cities' Reader, posted Dec. 8, 2022) (Submitted on August 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.