Monument to Civil War heroes a testament to people's dedication
The impact of the Civil War was felt long after the war ended in 1865.
Soldiers returned home to heal and begin their lives again, but did not want to forget the tragic events that had torn the nation apart.
Commemorating the war took many forms, including the dedication of national historic sites and statues, and the formation of the veterans association such as the Grand Army of the Republic.
The Lake County Soldiers and Monument Association formed in Waukegan on Nov. 9, 1865. From its inception until 1899, the Association struggled to raise the funds to create a commemorative statue of the war. It took the efforts of many individuals and organizations, including the Women's Relief Corps, to raise nearly $6,000 to finally get the project off the ground.
The artist's commission for the four panels to be placed at the base of the monument was given to Edith Freeman Sherman (1876-c. 1960), a relation of the Partridge family of Ivanhoe, and a graduate of the Chicago Art Institute Sculpture Department.
Sherman created panels representing dynamic images of the four aspects of military service during the Civil War -- infantry, artillery, cavalry and navy. Sherman gave up a summer trip to Europe to do the work, but the commission meant more than the vacation.
A 12-ton granite pillar was shipped from Barre, Vermont, on July 25, 1899, and erected on the east side of the Courthouse on North County Street.
It was then topped with a bronze statue of a soldier, and Sherman's bronze panels affixed to the sides. The formal dedication took place on Aug. 29, featuring another young lady, "Little Blanche Alexander."
The 7-year-old was given the honor of pulling the rope that unveiled the long-awaited statue, because she was the granddaughter of Civil War veteran John Maynard. She was brought to the event in an open carriage, wearing a white satin and lace dress.
Among the crowd that had gathered that day were troops from Fort Sheridan, Grand Army Posts from Waukegan, Lake Forest and Kenosha; and the U.S.S. Michigan saluted the monument from the harbor.
Though Sherman's name is mostly forgotten in connection to the project, her artistry may still be viewed on the monument. Sherman moved to California, where she continued her work as an artist.
Blanche Alexander remained in Waukegan, married George Paldani, and worked for many years for Public Service.
• Diana Dretske, author of "Lake County, Illinois: An Illustrated History" is the collections coordinator for the Lake County Discovery Museum. The Lake County Discovery Museum, a department of the Lake County Forest Preserves, is an award-winning regional history museum on Route 176, west of Fairfield Road near Wauconda. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Call (847) 968-3400 for information.