Lincoln and Chicago

by John Toman, Michael Frutig

Overview

Abraham Lincoln and Chicago both generate countless books, but this is the first in-depth examination of the actual relationship between the Prairie State's biggest city and its most famous citizen.

The Illinois Rail Splitter's influence can be felt across the Land of Lincoln, but his relationship with Chicago was pivotal in his journey to the national stage. Lincoln first came to Chicago in 1847, a year before the Illinois-Michigan Canal opened and brought spectacular wealth to the region. The Midwestern metropolis is where Lincoln would meet the backers that ultimately propelled him into the White House. Tens of thousands of Chicagoans viewed his coffin at its last stop before its final destination in Springfield. John Toman and Michael Frutig explore how the people of Chicago managed to get their man into power on the eve of the greatest crisis the nation had ever faced.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439675472
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	07/18/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	947 KB

About the Author

John Toman is a historian who served as president for the Lawndale-Crawford Historical Society. His work in historical preservation in western Illinois has saved many old buildings in the area. He lives in Chicago. Michael Frutig is a writer of both fiction and nonfiction. He graduated from the University of Iowa. He lives in Chicago.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Introduction 9

1 The Road to Chicago 17

Origin of Chicago, Fort Dearborn, Lincoln Family History, Abraham's Childhood, New Salem, Springfield, Wedding of Abe and Mary, Early Career, Birth of Robert, Stephen Douglas

2 Onto the Stage 42

Abraham's First Visit to Chicago, the Rivers and Harbors Convention, Birth and Death of Eddie, Term in Congress, John Wentworth, Riding the Circuit, Death of Thomas Lincoln, David Davis

3 The Itinerant Lawyer 56

Births of Willie and Tad, Birth of Republican Party, Joseph Medill, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Various Trips to Chicago, Potter Palmer, Princeton, Bloomington

4 The Favorite Son 70

Illinois Central Railroad, Judd-Wentworth Feud, Fire of 1857, Lincoln-Douglas Debates, George Pullman, Planning for Election, Judd Picks Chicago for Convention

5 Chicago's Choice 86

Judd-Wentworth Feud Escalates, Wigwam, Cooper Union, Republican Rivals, Chicago Convention, Election of 1860, Last Visit to Chicago

6 The West in the White House 108

Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, Camp Douglas, Assassination

Bibliography 137

About the Authors 141