Jacksonville in Morgan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

I. C. Honors Mr. Lincoln

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 10, 2012

1. I. C. Honors Mr. Lincoln Marker

Inscription.

I. C. Honors Mr. Lincoln. Looking for Lincoln. , Since 1856, Beecher Hall has been the headquarters of two of Illinois College men's societies. Sigma Pi Society and Phi Alpha Society. Both societies elected Abraham Lincoln into honorary membership in their fraternal-literary organizations in 1859. Lincoln subsequently had close contact with a number of Sigma Pi and Phi Alpha members. Dr. Newton Bateman, of Jacksonville, became close friends with Lincoln in the months before he left Springfield for Washington. Barbour Lewis, a Jacksonville lawyer, was called by Lincoln, "my particular friend." Lincoln appointed Dr. William Jayne, a Springfield physician, governor of Dakota Territory. And Lincoln employed Charles Philbrick as his private secretary in the White House. According to noted Lincoln scholar Dr. Wayne Temple: "The world quickly forgot 'Charley' Philbrick and his connection to the immortal Abraham Lincoln. But his Alma Mater now has cause to remember him, and the echoes of his footsteps and the sound of his talented voice will once more be recalled in the classic and historic Beecher Hall on the campus." These are examples of Abraham Lincoln's many important ties to Jacksonville and Illinois College.

Abraham Lincoln is depicted as he looked the night he delivered a lecture in downtown Jacksonville in February 1859. The lecture was sponsored by the Phi Alpha Society, and the proceeds were to benefit its library in Beecher Hall on the Illinois College campus. The 1983 painting is by noted Lincoln author and artist Lloyd Ostendorf. The painting hangs in the Phi Alpha Main Meeting Room.

Since 1856, Beecher Hall has been the headquarters of two of Illinois College men's societies. Sigma Pi Society and Phi Alpha Society. Both societies elected Abraham Lincoln into honorary membership in their fraternal-literary organizations in 1859. Lincoln subsequently had close contact with a number of Sigma Pi and Phi Alpha members. Dr. Newton Bateman, of Jacksonville, became close friends with Lincoln in the months before he left Springfield for Washington. Barbour Lewis, a Jacksonville lawyer, was called by Lincoln, "my particular friend." Lincoln appointed Dr. William Jayne, a Springfield physician, governor of Dakota Territory. And Lincoln employed Charles Philbrick as his private secretary in the White House. According to noted Lincoln scholar Dr. Wayne Temple: "The world quickly forgot 'Charley' Philbrick and his connection to the immortal Abraham Lincoln. But his Alma Mater now has cause to remember him, and the echoes of his footsteps and the sound of his talented voice will once more be recalled in the classic and historic Beecher Hall on the campus." These are examples of Abraham Lincoln's many important ties to Jacksonville and Illinois College.

Abraham Lincoln is depicted as he looked the night he delivered a lecture in downtown Jacksonville in February 1859. The lecture was

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sponsored by the Phi Alpha Society, and the proceeds were to benefit its library in Beecher Hall on the Illinois College campus. The 1983 painting is by noted Lincoln author and artist Lloyd Ostendorf. The painting hangs in the Phi Alpha Main Meeting Room.

Illinois College's Beecher Hall constructed 1829-1830, is the first college building erected in Illinois. It was originally used as the college's chapel and lecture room, housed the library, and its upper floors were used as dormitory space and, later, on the third floor, as the location in the 1840's of the state's first medical school. In the 1880's, the building was named for Dr. Edward Beecher, the college's first president and a member of the large and influential Beecher family, which produced Harriet Beecher Stowe. Dr. Beecher's sister, who wrote uncle Tom's Cabin. This painting of Beecher Hall was commissioned by the U.S.Postal Service when it commemorated the early 1990's restoration of Beecher Hall by issuing a nineteen-cent postal card in 1993.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1859.

Location. 39° 43.733′ N, 90°

Beecher Hall Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, June 10, 2012

2. Beecher Hall Sign

14.73′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Illinois, in Morgan County. Marker is at the intersection of Edgehill Road and Park Street on Edgehill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville IL 62650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln's Religion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lincoln & Governor Duncan (approx. half a mile away); William Jennings Bryan (approx. 0.8 miles away); Stephen Arnold Douglas (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company (approx. 0.9 miles away); New Method Book Bindery (approx. 0.9 miles away); 1858 Senate Race Here (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lincoln and Slavery (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.