Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2022 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== OAK RIDGE CEMETERY Its History and Improvements H. W. Rokker, Printer & Binder Springfield, ILL. - 1879 The Lincoln Monument To the southward in Oak Ridge Cemetery, upon a beautiful rising headland, stands the lofty granite obelisk, which is at once the resting place and Monu- ment of our lamented President, ABRAHAM LINCOLN. To this shrine of patriotism through all the circling centuries of the unseen future, pilgrims will come from every land, to do honor to the memory of one of the world's greatest benefactors. For such as may never enjoy that privilege, as well as to briefly record a chapter in the history of Oak Ridge Cemetery. which will forever render it one of the most noted cemeteries in America, the following sketch of the Monument is prepared. Soon after the death of President Lincoln, in April, 1865, a committee was chosen by the citizens of Spring- field to make arrangements for the burial of all that was mortal of their former associate, and illustrious fellow-citizen. Agreeable to the expressed desire of Mrs. Lincoln, the casket containing his remains was, on the 4th day of May, 1865, deposited in the public receiving tomb, at Oak Ridge Cemetery. A cut of this tomb, as will be seen, adorns these pages. It is lo- cated at the foot of the gently sloping hill, about twenty rods to the north of the Monument, and from its sacred associations will, as long as it stands, con- tinue to be an object of interest to every visitor. In May, 1865, the NATIONAL LINCOLN MONUMENT ASSOCI- ATION was formed, and incorporated under, and in accordance with the laws of Illinois. The Board of Directors of this Association comprised fifteen of the most prominent citizens of Springfield. It was duly organized by the election of . . . Governor, Richard J. Oglesby, President Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, Vice-President Clinton L. Conkling, Secretary Hon. James A. Beveridge, Treasurer In June, 1865, steps were taken towards the construc- tion of a temporary tomb in which to deposit the remains of President Lincoln until the proposed Monument should be erected. This temporary tomb, which stood ten or twelve rods to the northeast of the site of the Monument, was completed in 1865, and the casket containing the remains removed thereto, under the supervision of the Monument Association, by Thomas C. Smith, Esq., undertaker, on the 21st day of December. The cut, which our engraver has made from a photograph, is an excellent representation of this tomb, as it stood for nearly six years, until the second removal of the casket was made, as before, under the direction of the Monument Association, by Thomas C. Smith, Esq., to the crypt of the Monument, on the 19th day of September, 1871. In grading the ground, this tomb having served its purpose, was soon afterwards demolished. Funds have been contributed for the purpose, and plans perfected, the erection of the Monument was commenced on the 9th day of September, 1869. The capstone was placed in position on the 22nd day of May, 1871, and it was dedicated on the 15th day of October, 1874, with appropriate and imposing ceremonies. ==========================================================================