Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mary Newsome Wheeler

1860-1947

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. Mary Newsome Wheeler Marker

Inscription. Mary Newsome Wheeler was only two years old when she and her mother, Minerva Newsome, boarded a boxcar in Mississippi and braved the nearly 600-mile train ride to Elgin as refugee slaves or "contraband."

She attended the old Brook Street school and went on to marry John Henry Clay Hall, a Civil War veteran. Soon after Hall's death, Mary wed Lewis Wheeler, another Civil War veteran. These two strong links to the Civil War and longing for emancipation created leadership and vision in the young Wheeler. She was the main motivator of the "Liberation Day" celebration in admiration of former President Abraham Lincoln. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the sister organization to the Masons. Mary was a founding member of the American War Mothers in 1917, during World War I.

When Wheeler died at age 87 she was one of the last surviving ex-slaves in Elgin. Beginning in slavery and ending in freedom, her lifetime spanned two stark realities.

[Caption below photo on the right:]
American War Mothers - Mary Wheeler Chapter, 1958: Front row from left: LaVera Allen, Verma Peterson, Albertha Hazier. Back

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row: Mayme Steele, Imogene Oregon, Mildred Broadnax, Marie W. Hayes, and Lula Cook

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 42° 2.523′ N, 88° 16.782′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is at the intersection of Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street. The marker is one of several in Newsome Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 280 Kimball Street, Elgin IL 60120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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

Markers in Newsome Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. Markers in Newsome Park

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Phyllis Jones Tilley (here, next to this marker); La Verne Newsome (here, next to this marker); Sherman Hunter (here, next to this marker); Fremont Recreation Center / Second Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Newsome Park (here, next to this marker); Masjid Al-Wājidi (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Pioneer Log Cabin of the 1830s (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.