Oakland in Coles County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford

Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010

1. Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford Marker

(Click on any of these photos to see the details.)

Inscription.
This was the home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford, who was involved in 1847 in a case in which Abraham Lincoln represented a slaveholder. Rutherford and Gideon Ashmore harbored a family of slaves who had sought their help. The slaves belonged to Robert Matson, a Kentuckian, who had brought them north to work on his farm. While the slaves were being sheltered in Ashmore’s Tavern, Matson obtained a Court Order to have the slaves jailed. Rutherford and Ashmore sued out a Writ of Habeas Corpus for their release. Matson then hired Lincoln. The Circuit Court, after a hearing, freed the slaves.

Erected 1972 by Oakland Landmarks, Inc., and Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 39° 39.252′ N, 88° 1.634′ W. Marker is in Oakland, Illinois, in Coles County. Marker is on North Pike Street north of Illinois Route 133, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland IL 61943, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Matson Slave Trial (here, next to this marker); Civil War Memorial

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gristmill Stone Recovered from the Little Embarras River (about 400 feet away); Oakland, Illinois Community W. W. I War Memorial (about 400 feet away); Newman Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.2 miles away); The Streibich Blacksmith Shop (approx. 10.2 miles away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 10.6 miles away); Grandview Township Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 12.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Also see . . . Dr. Hiram Rutherford House. National Park Service "Aboard the Underground Railroad" entry (Submitted on April 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford -and- The Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010

2. Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford -and- The Marker

Other View - - Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010

3. Other View - - Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford

Looking East - - Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010

4. Looking East - - Home of Dr. Hiram Rutherford

Dr. Hiram Rutherford's Office - - " Sign " . . . image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010

5. Dr. Hiram Rutherford's Office - - " Sign " . . .

Dr. Hiram Rutherford's Office . . . image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, May 15, 2010

6. Dr. Hiram Rutherford's Office . . .

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,587 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.