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Fifty Three Members and Guests Hear Talk on Lincoln's Visit in 1856
And what a grand talk it was according to SRFHS Secretary, David Lowe, who mentioned that much of it related to Mr. Lincoln's association with Colonel Robert L. Wilson. He states:
"Terry Buckaloo presented an excellent historical review of prominent Sterling citizen, Colonel Robert L. Wilson, particularly as it applied to his close relationship with Abraham Lincoln. Wilson was born in Pennsylvania in 1805 (four years prior to Lincoln). Though from an impoverished family due to his father’s death when he was very young, he, as did Lincoln, came to value education very highly. He obtained a degree from Franklin College in Ohio and subsequently taught school in Kentucky. He then obtained a law degree through self-study and determination.
In 1833, he married one of his students, Eliza Kincaid and moved to Illinois settling in Athens, a small town near Springfield where he practiced law.
His first encounter with Lincoln was in 1834 when they both ran for the state legislature on the Whig ticket and were subsequently elected, so they both served in the state legislature at the same time. They were both part of a group of legislators known as “Long Nine” since they were all about six feet in height. Lincoln could not afford a horse at this time, so he would borrow Liza Wilson’s horse when it was necessary for him to travel. Wilson and Lincoln both worked hard to gain approval for the building of a canal at Rock Falls in the 1830’s although it turned out to be a very impractical idea.
Wilson practiced law in Springfield as did Lincoln but in 1840, he moved to Sterling and built a home on the corner of 7th Street and Sixth Avenue. He was appointed Chief of the Circuit Court, a position he held until 1860.
Following a political meeting held in Decatur to establish a ticket in support of John C. Fremont for president, Lincoln was chosen as an elector which required him to make many speeches in the summer of 1856. Due to his close relationship with Wilson, he arranged to deliver a speech on July 18th and was to stay with the Wilson’s that night. However, a day before his visit, Liza Wilson suffered a life threatening fall from her horse and broke her neck. Wilson arranged to have Lincoln stay at the home of his close friend, Sheriff William Manahan.
When Lincoln was elected president in 1861, he appointed Wilson as U. S. Army Paymaster, a position he served with distinction until the end of the war.
Wilson was a real history buff and co-authored the Bent-Wilson book, “History of Whiteside County” published in 1877. Colonel Wilson and Liza traveled extensively until his death in 1880. Liza died in 1907."
The Buckaloo talk had the additional benefit of tying together all the reasons for supporting the upcoming celebration and dedication of a life-size bronze of Lincoln in Propheter Park on July 18, 2006, in honor of his speech in Sterling 150 years ago. After hearing Terry Buckaloo discuss the subject most thoroughly, one only feels it a privilege for the community to honor Abraham Lincoln in this manner.
The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society business meeting was called to order by President John Dillon, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Minutes were read by Secretary David Lowe and Treasurer's Report by Ted Kontos. John Dillon asked for a nominating committee report from Chairman Tim Keller, who provided the following names for officers and directors were presented as follows, the election to take place next month:
Nominated for the Museum Board are Tim Keller, Dennis DeLange and Jerald Glawe. Nominated for the Historical Society Board are John Dillon, Wolf Koch and Jerry Bartlett. Nominated as Officers for the coming year are David Lowe, President; Tim Keller, Vice President; Dian Fitzgerald, Secretary; and Ted Kontos, Treasurer.
In further business, the Lincoln Statue Committee is hard at work. Site drawings have been submitted and approved pending final authorization of the Propheter family. Statue dedication is scheduled for July 18, 2006.
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