Oldham County History Center
Get to know Oldham County, Kentucky
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“ My Friend Gov. Richard James Oglesby”
March 23 @ 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
“ My Friend Gov. Richard James Oglesby”
Presented by Abraham Lincoln as portrayed by Larry Elliott
Join us in the presentation as Larry Elliott portrays Abraham Lincoln and talks about his friendship with Oldham County native and Illinois Governor Richard James Oglesby. This event will be held at the Rob Morris Chapel, 207 West Jefferson, Oldham County History Center, LaGrange KY.
Cost: $15 history center members/$18 non-members, children 12 and under $10.
Register through Eventbrite by clicking here!
More about Richard James Oglesby here:
Oldham County native, Richard James Oglesby created the Rail Splitter Motto for Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 Presidential Election campaign. The popular motto is credited for helping Lincoln win the presidency.
Oglesby was born in 1824 in Floydsburg. His father Colonel Jacob Oglesby and his mother Isabella Watson Oglesby died of cholera during the epidemic of 1832/33 along with 2 of Richard’s siblings. Richard James went to live with his Uncle Willis and Aunt Mildred Oglesby in Brownsboro who later moved their family to Decatur, Illinois in 1836.
Richard studied law and was admitted to bar in November 1845. It was during those years in Illinois, Oglesby became friends with Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln’s family. A staunch abolitionist, Oglesby became a political ally and close friend of President Lincoln. He served as a major general for the Union in the Civil War. Oglesby was by Lincoln’s bedside when he died and accompanied Lincoln’s body back to Springfield, Illinois where Oglesby was elected as president of the National Lincoln Monument Association to raise funds for and to design the tomb Lincoln would be buried in. Oglesby delivered the dedication address when the memorial was unveiled in 1874; President Grant and the Cabinet were in attendance.
Oglesby had a long career in politics and served three times as governor of Illinois. After his last term as governor ended, Oglesby retired to his home in Elkhart, Logan County, Illinois where he died on April 24, 1899.
