973.7L63 E3C43L Chco.^O^ O^Mv, r.si cyders ^ ^Mcc/^ Park, Lincoln As Illinois Knew Him - C??a^3 LINCOLN ROOM uni\i:rshv of Illinois LIBRAKV I MEMORL-\L //'<■ (llM of l LtrtcmYi f^^o-w) ^ ^ ^ s LINCOLN -AS -ILLINOIS KNEW • H I iM ^[^INCOLN Park in Chicago is the greatest monument ever created j^*. tS^^ I J ^ in the name of Lincoln, and when the Commissioners of the park in 1927 built the Admin- istration Building they determined that there should be placed in it a portrait of Lincoln worthy of him, worthy of the Park and worthy to be associated with the famous St. Gaudens monument already located in the Park. There are still alive a few people who had ample opportunity to seethe great eman- cipator and who remember him clearly. In only a few years none of them will remain. It was hoped that a picture could be created which would meet with the appreciation of those remaining associates of Lincoln. William Patterson, who had already made several pictures of Lincoln, many of them in miniature, was commissioned to paint the portrait and how well he has succeeded is best shown by the letters boimd in this \olume. About the only limitation placed upon Mr Patterson was that he paint Lincoln as Illinois knew him, and as Lmcoln did not have a beard until four or five months before he left Illinois, he has been painted without the beard. The portrait is based up>on a photograph made in Springfield in 1858 but modified slightly as the artist in painting the picture, studied many photographs, paintings and drawings and the mask of Lincoln in the Library in the Centennial l^uilding at Spring- field, Illinois. ^2^ THE COMMISSIONERS OF LINCOLN PARK David H Jackson President Albert Z. Halperin Arthur Dehmlow Alexander Fyfe Albert P. Bauer John A Tortenson Appointed by Len Small Governor of Illinois E M I L A W Johnson General Superintendent and Manager Car o s Secretary i3^ A M TESTIMON lAL LETTERS THE LINCOLN ^^'^^F FOUNDATION SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS Dear Mr Jackson: Mr Wm. Patterson whom I have known for years as a portrait painter and who has painted a number of excellent portraits of Abraham lincoln, invited me to see a picture he has re- cently finished for the Board of Commissioners of Lincoln Park, Chicago, With many other Springfield citizens, I took advantage of the opportunity to see the portrait. I have since talked with those who were intimately acquainted with Lincoln when he lived in Springfield, all of whom pronounce it an exceptionally good likeness of the subject. For many years I have been interested in historical things pertaining to Lincoln and have made a close study particularly of Lincoln pictures. After careful study of the portrait and by comparison with many original photographs, a number of which I have in my private collection, I have come to the conclu- sion that the picture Just completed by Mr Patterson is one of the best if not the strongest portrait I have ever seen of Abraham Lincoln. Sincerely, May 19, 1927 Leiler of J. C. Thompson i?} M. Salzenstein & Go. INCUR PORATBD Investment Secdrities Mrers Baildine, Capital 79S Springfield, 111. May 16, 1927. Oommiss loners of Lincoln Park, Chicago , Illinois. Gentlemen; I Imew ABRAKAM LINCOLN from the year of 1856 up to the time that he was elected President and moved from Springfield to Wash- ii^ton. I was always a great admirer of MR. LINCOLN and took advantage of every opportunity to te present where he was to speak. I heard him in one of his debates with Stephen A. Douglas and on num- erous occassions during his campaign for President. For a few years I was employed in ny Uncle's store at Athens, Illinois, a small town on the road betv/een Springfield and Petersburg where MR LINCOLN often attended court, and I remember dis- tinctly an incident which occurred when Mr. Lincoln 7;ith a party of friends were driving thru town; came into our store and borrowed an axe. Later, returning with the axe but it was broken and Mr. Lin- coln insisted on paying for the damages, which ny uncle refused to accept. Today I wqs invited to view a protrait of LINCOLN, painted tiy Mr. William Patterson for Lincoln Park, Chicago. I was pleased to have the opportunity to see the picture and can say it is a splendid likeness of the sub.iect as I knew him when he lived in Springfield. I never saw a protrait I liked better of AERAiyM LINCOLN. Very truly yours. Letter of C. S. Salzenstein 8^ 9 ^ MASONIC TEMPLE SPRINGFIELD. ILLINOIS Uaj 12 1927. Co^imissionere of Lincoln Park, (3iica£;o, Illlnoio. Gehtlemen: I was invited by Mr. V/illiom Patterson, tho Artist, to Boc a portrait of Abraham Linooln he has painted for Lincoln Park, Chicago. A3 a boy, I wa3 an onthusiaBtic member of a boyo, Lincoln Young America Wide Awake Club, during Lincoln's campalo'.n for President and hoard him dolivor his farov/ell address w.'ien ho left for Bbshington. I have a distinct recollection of his appearance at the tine and think thn portrait I have just aoen is an excellont. likeneao ao he apjoarc-d at tliat tirae. Yours vory truly, Letter of B. F. Talbott )^11^ JAMES M GARLAND ▼ GENERAL AGENT LOCK BOX 246 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS April 25th, 1927. TO COMMISSIONERS OP LIKCOLN PARK; Chicago Illinois* Gentlemen! I called at the St, Nicholas Hotel, today to see a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, painted by William Patterson, to be placed in the administration building in Lincoln Park Chicago. I was well acquainted with Mr. Lincoln from my early boyhood days up to the time he was elected president, and left Springfield for Washifagton. For some years I was book-keeper in the store of E. B. Hawley. where Lincoln traded. I had occassion to meet him frequently in the store and. in his office where I went to collect his account, I can truthfully say, that the portrait I saw today is not only good, but is the best likeness I ever saw of Lincoln, JMG:B Sincerely yours. Letter of j. M. Gari and 4 13^ FRATERNAL PROTECTION CHEAPEST AND BEST OFFICE OF THE CLERK SPRINGFIELD CAMP NO. 114 MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA W. P THAYER. CLERK OFFICE. 517 CAST WASHINGTON STREET. GOREVS SHOE STORE SPRINGFIELD. ILL.. May 13, 19S7, Commissioners of Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. Dear Sirs: I have lived in an near Springfield all nry life. I had the opportunity on different occasions of seeing Abraham Lincoln, hearing him speak and shak- ing hands with him during his presidential campaign. I was at the Wabash Railway St.stion the day he left Springfield for Wa.'5hington and heard his farev;ell address. I think the portrait I saw today which was painted by VVm. Patterson is a true likeness as I re- TTiember him when he lived in Springfield. Yours very truly. C}f- 'ppr^ cvt,..^^?--'V-A.^Nfc Leiier of W. P. Thayer ^15^ gil&^EJOriSSinMER pnmn)r:^>soiS l[ ^^L^^J.^^' -l-AL^U-.- CAPITAL $600,000.00 SURPLUS $ I50.000.00 MEMBER OF FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Edward D. Keys Phesioent SPRi?roFiEU>.lLJinroi»i, April 22nd. 1927. Conmissi oners of lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. Gentleraen: I Tas invited by Mr. Willian Patterson-, Artist, of Chicego, to call and see an oil portrait of Lincoln. I called ?nd Vr. Georije Pasfield of this City acconrpenied me, I was very irruch interested in the picture end very glad, inde&d, to see it, as I lived nthin a block of Vne Lincoln family ?rhen Mr. Lincoln lived in Springfield and attenfled school with his two boys, ?i'ill and Ted, 5111 being about my age then. I heard Mr. Lincoln deliver his Farewell Address rhen he left Springfield, and it certainly took an important place in rny memor;''. I have gotten a'!"ay fro.-n the subject of the picture, but I ras certainly very much pleasefl with it In every vray and I do not think I have seen any picture that pleaseime ^ore than this has. Sometime when I cjs in Chicago, I hope to see it hanging in the Ad-nini strati on Building of your Lincoln Park Boara. Tfith kind regards, I am EDK:MC'B To\trs verj' truly, p. S. I saw the picture in Mr. Patterson's P.oom at the S.t. Nicholas Hotel. Lelier of Edward D. Keys §■ 17 ;< \ ^ Springfield, I nine i 9, April 2!|th 1927, Mr, David H. Jackaon, Chicago, IHibolo, Dear Sir:- ThlB morning I was invited to call at the St„NioholRa Hotelof this city, to see a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, painted by Mr. William Patterson, of Chicago, for Lincoln Park, Chicago, My father's family lived next door te '-he Lincoln home for about fifteen years; oux fa7r.3.iie3 were intimately ac- quainted. Very soon after Mr, Lincoln* e nomination to the Presi- dency of the united States he appointed my brother, Harrison W. Gourley, to a position in the Custom HCuse at New vork City, where he afterwards served for many years aa Deputy Clerk, final- ly retiring from that ^jositlon shortly after his eig;h'^eth birth- day. I was very much pleased to have the opportunity to see this portrait of Mr, Lincoln, and consider it the moat character- istic likeness of any I have seen of hira» Yours very truly, (k^j koMi^ ^^-o^fc^c,^ Letter 0/ Martha Gourley Gehlman ^ 19^ ISAAC R. DILLER. Real Estate mortgage Loans Springfield. Illinois. May I2tll 1927 AND INSURANCE 2I4V4 South Sixth Street Commissioners of Lincoln Park Chicago, Illinois Gentlemen:- Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing the portrait of Abraham Lincoln painted by Wi II lam Patterson, which I understand is to hang in the Administration Building in Lincoln Park, Chicago. As a boy I lived only a block from the Lincoln home and played with Willie and Tad. I nave an in« vltation to a party given for Willie dated December 22nd I860, which was written and addressed to me in Mrs Lincoln's own handwriting, which I Mtry highly treasure. I remember Mr Lincoln coming into the parlor where the children were playing, and also saw him on other occasions. The portrait by Mr Patterson, I consider a good likeness as i remember him. Yours truly jLz^^^^^^r- Letter of Isaac R. Diller ^21^ ^WITM CIRCULATING ICE WATER SPRINGFIELD'S LARGEST AND NEWEST FIREPROOF HOTEL SpRINGFIELdJlL. May 17. 1927 Commissioners of Lincoln Park, Chicago, 111. Dear Sirs; I came to Springfield in 1852 and have made Springfield my home since that time. I became acquainted with Lincoln about the year of 1854 amd knew him up to the time he \7a3 elected president and left Springfield. I saw Abraham Lincoln many times before and durina; his campai-^n for President. I was Captain of the junior Lincoln Wide Awakes, and attended most -of the political meetings in Springfield and many that were held in other towns where Lincoln spoke. Heard him in debates with Stephen A. Douglass, his "House divided against itself" speech, and his Farewell Address the day he left Springfield for Washington. Yesterday i was invited to see a portrait of Lincoln painted by wm. Patterson for Lincoln Park, Chicago. I enjoyed looking at the picture and think it is a. true likeness of the subject in every respect. Yours truly. ^ Letter of William B. Baker ^23^ DE WITT W. SMI TH 62i 50UTM SECOND S T R C e I SPRINGFIELD (LL'NOi£ April E5, 1927, To The Co.'niniosioners of Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. Gentlemen: - This is to certify that 1 have carefully inspected the portrait of Abraham Lincoln painted by Mr. V/m. Patterson, which he informs me is intended for your honorable body. I knew Mr. Lincoln from m^r earliest recollection, about the year 1850, until the day he departed from Springfielc to be inaugurated President of the United States. During the last five years of lAr . Lincolns life in Springfield I had occasion to see him at his home, on the str^-ets, and at eocial gatherings etc. almost daily, and knew him as a boy of that period might be expected to know a man so much older than himself. Amons; the many portraits of Mr. Lincoln which I have seen I regard the one above referred to as one of the very best potrayals of Mr. Lincolns face as the people of Springfield knew him during the last years of his life a^nong them. 1 am Respectfully, . Letter of Dewitt W. Smith 8^25^ IfHOIiASHbT^ WITH CIRCULATING ICE WATER SPRINGFIELOS LARGEST AND NEWEST FIREPROOF H OTEU SpringfieldJll. ^^y ^^' ^5^'' Commissioners of Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. Dear Sirs; I came to Springfield in the year of 1357 from Kentuclcy and have lived here ever since. My first impression of Abraham Lincoln was during? 1857 or 1853. I saw him very often on the streets of Sprinijfield, heard him speak during his presidential csimpai^n, and frequiently saTT him play hand hall. on one occasion rein an erramd for him, for which he gave me a quarter, two bitts as he called it. Today I saw the portrait of Lincoln, which Mr. Patterson has painted for Lincoln Park, Chicago. I consider it a good likeness as I remember him. Yours truly. ^^-^-y^ ^r (?n-y^- Letter 0/ J no. F. Bretz ^27^ 30112 031812511