This 140-page volume, published by the Pike County Historical Society and the New Philadelphia Association, reflects the author’s fascination with and admiration of the character of Free Frank and his family and the town of New Philadelphia.

This beautiful book contains the early history of Pike County and biographies of some of the men who shaped it. Learn about the court cases here in the county that Abraham Lincoln was involved with. Walk the streets with Lincoln and learn about the folks that he considered friends or political associates.

The book covers and honors the brave Pike County men that answered Lincoln’s call for troops in the American Civil War. Within this volume you will find regimental histories, soldiers’ photos, and biographical sketches like brothers Charles F. and George P. Bechdoldt. Charles enlisted in Co. E, 28th Illinois Infantry and was killed July 1863 at Jackson, MS. His brother, George, enlisted in Co. K, 2nd Illinois Cavalry and was severely wounded at the battle of Holly Springs, MS, but survived his wound, returning home to Pike and becoming a very wealthy and successful farmer.

Did you know that the Medal of Honor has its roots in the Civil War and that two soldiers that were awarded the medal for deeds of valor during the war had Pike County connections? This book tells their brave stories and the thirty year journey leading up to being awarded America’s highest military honor.

Within this beautiful book the reader will find a complete muster roll of all known Pike County men, recording where and what unit they enlisted. The final chapter in the book, The Honor Roll, is the largest and contains all the Civil War soldiers that are buried in Pike County, listed by cemetery. The Honor Roll contains their name, company, regiment, and date of death, followed by a brief history of their military service.

This book is available to read at the library or can be purchased for your personal library from Casteel’s Color Wheel in Pittsfield or you can email the Abe Lincoln Project at alplflpc@gmail.com.

 

Fred Bennett Jones (1858 – 1933) was the son of George Watson Jones who served as Pike County Circuit Clerk from 1860-1864, and 1874-1876.
Fred was also the grandson of Nathan Watson Jones, who surveyed and helped found Griggsville, IL.

Fred moved to Chicago as a teenager (around 1877) and began working as a stock clerk for a manufacturer of railroad supplies. He retired as Vice President of that company and was its largest stockholder. (When he died, he remembered Pittsfield Public Library in his will and left us his personal library and enough money to build an addition on to the rear of our original Carnegie building.)
In 1900, Fred Jones commissioned a summer home on Delavan Lake, WI. The architect of that home was the now-famous Frank Lloyd Wright. This book tells the story of that home.

“Frank Lloyd Wright is best known for his urban and suburban houses. Lesser known are the more than 40 summer “cottages” he designed in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario. Many of the early summer cottages have a rustic feel and are not as easily recognized as Wright’s prolific year-round domestic designs. Among them is a stunning estate on Delavan Lake in southern Wisconsin called Penwern. Commissioned by Chicago capitalist Fred B. Jones around 1900, Penwern has received both national and state recognition. The home’s current stewards have dedicated themselves to restoring the estate to Wright’s vision, ensuring its future. Featuring beautiful color photographs, plus vintage black and white pictures and original Wright drawings, this book transports readers back to the glory days of gracious living and entertaining on the lake.”

Local History:

 

 

The library is pleased to have a copy of Gerald A. McWorter’s book on the local historical site of New Philadelphia

(Information taken from back cover) New Philadelphia, Illinois, was an abolitionist town just 20 miles from slavery, inhabited for more than 100 years. Town founder Frank McWorter bought a total of 16 family members out of slavery, starting with his pregnant wife. Thanks to the efforts of local activists and others, New Philadelphia has been recognized:

1988 — Frank McWorter gravesite on the National Register of Historic Places

2002-2011 — Archaeological dig funded by the national Science Foundation

2009 — National Historic Landmark

2013 — National Park Service Network to Freedom

2017 — In the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and National Museum of African American History and Culture

2018 — Under study to become a National Park

Authors:
Gerald A. McWorter is a great-great-grandson of Frank McWorter and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Kate Williams-McWorter is associate professor at the same university

 

Everyone grows up in different environments, and the messages we see and hear shape them either positively or negatively. What is important is anyone can achieve success if they choose positive words and actions and want to better themselves. When we mentally discipline and train our mind to positive thinking, physically create a healthy body and lifestyle, emotionally manage our emotions controlling our tongue, and spiritually develop a grateful and loving relationship with God, many self-perceived barriers are eliminated. What is in our thoughts and words comes from our heart.

Heartfelt gratitude, no matter where we are in life, is an ingredient that takes our mind off ourselves and makes us serve others. Act as a leader and not a follower. Speak up for those who cannot help themselves. Use positive words and actions to build a model for success which others will follow. Please and thank you go a long way in life, so when we generate all these qualities and accept God’s grace, there is no stronger ally for life!

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