Looking For Lincoln

Before he was the 16^th man to ascend to the highest executive office in the country, Abraham Lincoln was a dedicated lawyer, practicing in courtrooms all over Central Illinois — including Pontiac. Here, the self-taught man from Springfield established many relationships and close friendships, some of whom proved influential in his meteoric rise.

Today, Pontiac celebrates its many connections to the Great Emancipator with its Looking for Lincoln sites, a collection of historic exhibits and locations that detail the fascinating and extraordinary links with our 16^th and greatest president. To locate our Lincoln sites, pick up an Abraham Lincoln Tour brochure at one of our museums or download and print a copy.

The Pontiac Looking for Lincoln exhibits include:

• Nine outdoor storyboards, part of the State of Illinois Looking For Lincoln program
• The Abraham Lincoln statue, a life-sized, bronze statue representing Lincoln as a young lawyer
• The Strevell House, the only remaining structure in Livingston County known to have welcomed Abraham Lincoln
• The Abe Lincoln & Strevell House mural

Pontiac’s historic connections to Lincoln date back to his early days as a young lawyer traveling the 8^th Judicial District. Lincoln visited Pontiac many times, represented numerous residents in legal actions, and made connections here that helped him rise to prominence in state and national politics. At the old settlers’ meeting held in 1877, Judge W.G. McDowell wrote, “The first regular term of circuit court was held in the spring of 1840, in the Weed log house, and that the jury held its deliberations on a lot of saw-logs which lay on the banks of the river.” McDowell continued, “The first trial by jury in the circuit court was between Isaac Wilson and Nathan Popejoy, in which Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas were attorneys, after which they spoke on the political issues of the day. … They spoke in the street, or rather open prairie, from the top of a dry goods box.”

On July 31, 1858, the first Republican organization in Pontiac was started with the intention of promoting Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming Senate election. Named the Lincoln Republican Club, the organization grew into a locally powerful group of men. Douglas, Lincoln’s major opponent in the contest, spoke in Pontiac to his supporters on Aug 19. Although Lincoln failed in gaining the Senate seat, his popularity in the area, as well as in the nation, grew because of that political contest. In April 1860, in preparation for the presidential campaign, the Republicans of Livingston County met in convention at Pontiac. Among the many resolutions passed by the convention was: “Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln is the choice of this convention for President of the United States.”

During the 1860 presidential campaign, the Republican leaders in Pontiac formed another political action group, the Wide-Awakes. Wearing uniforms consisting of a black cap and black cape made of oil cloth, each member on parade carried a torch painted red, on the staff of which hung a small American flag with the pictures of Lincoln and Hamlin. The company in Pontiac numbered 100 and were composed of men ranging in age from 21-35. They met regularly for drill and were put through their evolutions by Captain H.B. Reed — who had arrived in Pontiac in 1859 — and Wallace Lord, who before coming to Pontiac, was a member of the famous Ellsworth Zouaves of Chicago. When the Civil War broke out, every member of the company except for six volunteered and went to the front.

The Wide-Awakes often contested with the local Democratic party group, the Ever Readys. There were competing parades, speeches, and rallies — and an occasional fist fight. But in general, the demonstrations were quite noisy, but peaceful. The Republican group attracted attention to their cause by erecting a 115-foot “Lincoln and Hamlin Pole” on the grounds of the Livingston County Courthouse. Surrounded by split rails, the pole flew large flags with the names of Lincoln and Hamlin emblazoned upon them. Although Lincoln had much support here, he won Livingston County by a narrow majority of only 387 of the 2,563 votes cast countywide.

We are proud of our Lincoln heritage and invite visitors to learn more about the humble prairie lawyer who rose to become one of our nation’s most important and admired presidents.