Elginites of 100 years ago share memories of Lincoln

Though Abraham Lincoln never came to Elgin, or even passed through on a train, a number of people had opportunities to meet the 16th president during his lifetime.

They shared memories of a man with a keen sense of humor, awkward in appearance, and burdened with awesome responsibilities of his office.

Below are some reports taken from issues of the Elgin Daily News in February, 1909.

One of the first to meet Lincoln was A.J. Anderson of South Liberty Street, who saw the then-candidate for senate office in 1858 during one of his famous debates with Stephen Douglas.

"I was very much impressed with his appearance and earnestness," Anderson said.

Anderson added that his father was for Douglas, a Democrat, but said he admired Lincoln.

George Knott was among a dozen Elginites who went to Springfield to congratulate Lincoln on his nomination as president in 1860. Realizing he had forgotten his suit coat in the carriage that transported him to Lincoln's house, Knott was reluctant to enter the candidate's house. But Lincoln saw him and removed his own coat and said, "Now I am coatless." He then led Knott into his parlor.

"He told many humorous and delightful stories," Knott added.

Henry Snellgrove remembered a time just before the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. "We went into camp just outside Fort Ellsworth. A few days later President Lincoln and Secretary Seward came over and reviewed us," he wrote. "My impression of him was that he was in deep thought and careworn, but when he lifted his hat to return salute his countenance lighted up. The next and last time was at Harrison's Landing by moonlight. He was riding a small horse, his feet near the ground, and with his tall hat certainly made a picturesque site. I shall never forget."

"It was in 1862 that I first saw Lincoln in his office in the White House," recalled Hiram Monroe of Slade Avenue in Elgin. "The day was one reserved for the reception of soldiers. He made us feel like we were at home. We forgot his greatness and rank while in that room. 'I can see the silver lining now,' Lincoln said about the war. "Every soldier I ever knew or heard speak of Lincoln, while I was in the army, spoke of him with respect and everyone loved him."

Rev. Waterman of Elgin was on furlough from the Army when he attended Lincoln's Second Inauguration.

"I was near the platform and saw Mr. Lincoln with a retinue come forth," he reported. "The clouds overhead parted and an effulgence of sunlight fell over the speaker. He looked sad and heavy hearted. I attended the reception in the White House where thousands likewise gathered, and clasped hands with both Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, thanking him for his noble utterances."

W.D. Ellis remembered seeing Lincoln the spring of 1865 near the end of the war while he was involved in the assault of "Fort Hell" outside Petersburg, Virginia.

"On the way back to camp, we were halted, drawn into line, and reviewed by President Lincoln, who with his staff, happened to be at the front inspecting the works in front of Petersburg," Ellis said.

"This was few days before the evacuation of Petersburg by the rebels and the campaign which culminated in the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.

"I thought Lincoln made the most awkward appearance of any man I ever saw on horseback, but there was something in his face which made you forget the awkwardness and see only the grandeur of the man and his magnificent personality."

Finally, Winfred Hoagland of Elgin did not see Lincoln while alive, but ventured to Chicago to see the slain president's funeral train as it made its way to Springfield.

"I waited five hours to see one of the greatest sights it had ever been my lot to behold. I beheld a very large processional from our Army and Navy, and for the first time, I looked into the faces of such men as they rode by on horseback or in carriages.

"Fighting Joe Hooker, Sheridan, Logan, Farragut, and many others were familiar to me from the pictures I had seen of them. All dismounted and uncovered their heads and passed through the rotunda where the remains were in state.

"I fell in line with the others and was slowly guided up the steps into the presence of the dead, great President."

Two Lincoln schools

Elgin Area School District U-46 has recognized Abraham Lincoln with, not one, but two Lincoln Schools. The first, now the site of Observatory Park, opened near Elgin's downtown in the 1880s and served the district until the 1960s. The second Lincoln School, a building that is working to preserve the memory of both the original school and the president, has existed near the Elgin- Hoffman Estates border since 2004.

Originally known as the National Street School, the first Lincoln School saw its named changed a century ago. This was part of a multiyear effort by the board to rename the district's schools from the streets on which they were on to honor noted individuals.

Only two blocks from the busy Elgin National Watch Company, the original Lincoln School served generations of children whose parents worked at the nearby factory located at South Grove Avenue and National Street. Situated at the busy intersection of Villa and National streets, it was also one of the first to have a safety patrol.

The current Lincoln School opened in 2004 and serves students from both Elgin and Hoffman Estates. Realizing the heritage it carries on, it has been working to preserve the memory of both the school as well as the president for whom it is named.

Students have acquired a bust of Lincoln as well as pictures and memorabilia from the old school. Some students have been studying life in the 1880s, including what school was like. Another activity has been learning about Lincoln through the study of a penny.

Lincoln School, at 1850 Maureen Drive in Hoffman Estates, will also celebrate the Lincoln Bicentennial on Feb. 12 with two assemblies. The first for the lower grades will occur at noon followed by one for the upper grades at 1 p.m.

For information, contact teachers and student council advisers Karen Peterson and Laura Roberts who have overseen much of the efforts.

The school would also like to hear from alumni and staff from the former Lincoln School with memories to share.