Browse Items (8862 total)

Frank S. Dodd

Photograph of Frank S. Dodd (d. 3/22/1952). He was the former manager and part owner of the Decatur Herald. In 1912, he sold his interest in the company, but remained president. He worked as a publisher of the Richmond Indiana Item for many…

Photo of United States Army Tent Test Camp at Lake Decatur.

Photo of United States Army Tent Test Camp at Lake Decatur, Decatur, IL. Men and dump truck in photo.

John Dunn, Mike Madigan, Mert Ferguson, and an Unknown Man

Photograph of John Dunn, Michael Madigan, Mert Ferguson, and an unknown man sitting in an office at the State Capitol in Springfield, IL. John Dunn and Mike Madigan were State Representatives at the time of this photograph, while Mert Ferguson was a…

Andrew J. Dunston

Photograph of Andrew J. Dunston (b. 4/9/1852, d. 1933). He was a blacksmith and horseshoer for over 60 years. Dunston built a building at 136 S. Franklin in 1892 that was eventually bought by Lubin A. Freeland for a machine shop. He was the father…

Michael Fahay

Photograph of Michael Fahay (d. 3/3/1941). He established a hardware store and tin shop at 1102 E. Eldorado St. in 1894, and sold it in 1937 to Richard E. Harner. Fahay was prominent in politices, and served as alderman from the fifth ward from…

William F. Frede

Photograph of William F. Frede (d. 12/24/1950), a Decatur automobile dealer. In 1891, Frede started a farm implement business. After buying his first automobile in 1910, Frede opened a Studebaker dealership. He took over the Chevrolet dealership…

"Immortal J.N." Free

Photograph of "Immortal J.N." (Jacob Newman) Free (d. 6/27/1906). Free was a wanderer who traveled throughout the United States for 50 years by riding for free on every railroad, and staying in hotels at their expense. He was considered harmlessly…

George I. Fulk

Photograph of George I. Fulk, formerly of Bethany, IL. Fulk was a lawyer by trade, but also the Macon County Chairman of the 1951 Crusade for Freedom, a delegate to the international peace conference at the Hague in 1907 under President Theodore…

Auntie Gastman

Photograph of Mrs. Belle Hobbs Gastman (Mrs. E.A. Gastman). The photo is labeled "Auntie Gastman".

Alonzo Gray

Photograph of Alonzo Gray. He came to Decatur in 1878 from New York, and was employed by Wabash Railroad until 1910. At that time, he went to work for the Illinois Traction System. He was an expert on interior car-work, and a cabinet maker by…