 Fraker holds a law degree from the University of Illinois, has been
a practicing attorney in Bloomington for over 40 years and has made
court appearances throughout Lincoln's old 8th Judicial Circuit. He
is the author of "Our Link to Lincoln," a series of articles
published by the Bloomington Pantagraph about Lincoln's ties to
Bloomington. He is currently working on a book about the 8th
Judicial Circuit and its influence on Lincoln. Fraker is published
in the Journal of Abraham Lincoln Association and provides
commentary for bus tours of the Lincoln Circuit.Gov. Oglesby --
soldier, statesman, three times elected governor, U.S. senator and
friend to Abraham Lincoln -- lived in his home called "Oglehurst" in
Elkhart from 1889 until his death in 1899. In 1874 he gave the
dedication for Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield. Oglesby's funeral was
in the chapel in Elkhart Cemetery and his funeral cortege walked
across the Elkhart bridge, led by Robert Lincoln, son of President
Lincoln. Oglesby is well-known for introducing the rail-splitter
image into Lincoln's presidential campaign in 1860 and was
considered an intimate personal friend to Lincoln.
Although Oglesby's home in Elkhart is no longer standing, his
mansion in Decatur is now a museum. A special display board of the
Decatur mansion will be at the Elkhart Public Library during the
month of March, courtesy of the Gov. Richard J. Oglesby Mansion
board. On March 25 the display will be moved to The Wild Hare Café
to be available to the guests at the Elkhart Historic Society's
dinner and lecture. March 28 through April 15, the Lincoln Heritage
Museum in Lincoln will have a special exhibition on Oglesby. This
exhibit will examine the life of the governor and his association
with Lincoln and Grant.
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Other opportunities for those "Looking for Lincoln" in the
Elkhart area include the Postville Courthouse in Lincoln, where
Abraham Lincoln once practiced law; the Mount Pulaski Courthouse in
Mount Pulaski; and the Elkhart Cemetery and John P. Gillett Memorial
Arch. If you are staying overnight, the Best Western Lincoln Inn has
special rates for those attending Elkhart events. Call 217-732-9641
and mention that you will be attending the March dinner-lecture in
Elkhart.
Reservations must be received by March 21. Dinner begins at 5:30
p.m., followed by the lecture from 7 to 8 p.m. The cost of the
dinner is $24 per person and includes the meal, beverage (coffee or
tea), dessert, tax and gratuity. More information and the online
printable reservation form are available at
www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org or by telephoning 217-947-2046.
[Text from file received from
Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of
Logan County]
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