Historian Chuck McCue to
present “Lincoln and Oglesby: The boys from Kentucky” at
Elkhart dinner lecture
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[May 09, 2017]
ELKHART
- The long-time friendship between Abraham Lincoln and
Gov. Richard Oglesby will be discussed at the Elkhart
Historical Society’s May dinner lecture, Friday, May 19,
2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wild Hare Café in Elkhart,
Illinois.
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Elkhart native, historian Chuck McCue will
present, “Lincoln and Oglesby: The Boys from Kentucky”,
following a delicious dinner of either Red Lasagna or Chicken
Pot Pie served with garden salad freshly baked rolls and a
choice of dessert. The cost the meal includes taxes and tip as
well as a donation to the Elkhart historical Society of $10.
Reservations can be made by calling 217 947 2238 or going to
www.
elkharthistoricalsociety.org for the
reservation form.
McCue’s talk will explore the life paths of
two men, born as sons to Kentucky farmers just a few miles and a
few years apart, who each grew to have an enormous impact on the
legal system and government of Illinois and the nation. Chuck
McCue will recount how their tragedies and successes brought
them to the highest levels of state and federal office, both
individually and when their paths crossed.
The primary theme will be the relationship between Abraham
Lincoln and Richard J. Oglesby, starting with a chance meeting
in Decatur in 1840, through 1865, when then-Governor Oglesby
stood at the bedside of his friend who lay dying from an
assassin’s bullet. Even after Lincoln’s death, the bond
continued, as Oglesby oversaw the project of building a suitable
resting place for our 16th president.
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Following a 20 year career in the Air Force, Chuck McCue returned
to the area, and re- upped his long time interest in history, which he credits
to his friendships with the late Rick Gehlbach and Jim & Betty Hickey, all of
Elkhart. The exposure to a tremendous amount of historical material as well as
conversations with visiting Lincoln experts, he developed a deep respect for our
local history that continues to this day. Upon his return to the area, he became
a volunteer docent at the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site, and
continues to provide tours one Saturday a month and on special occasions.
[J. Rob Wilson]
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