Explore the RHS Facebook Archives, a rich repository of local history written by Carol Flynn. For two decades, Carol brought a deeply dedicated voice to public education at RHS. Her role as Facebook administrator through mid-2025 naturally extended her prolific research into meticulously detailed articles, most notably her multi-part historical series posts. Today, Carol continues her local history writing for The Beverly Review and other outlets.
Lincoln Connections to the Ridge
The Civil War was declared officially over on April 9, 1865. After four years of terrible bloodshed and the deaths of 620,000 Americans, celebrations were going on throughout Washington, D.C., and the north. Of course, many of those supportive of the Confederate cause loathed President Abraham Lincoln, which was reflected in the obsessions of John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators who were plotting the murders not only of Lincoln but other government leaders as well.
Five days later, on April 14, 1865, Good Friday, the nation was shocked at the assassination of the President who had worked so hard to preserve the United States.
Illinois is the Land of Lincoln. Although born in Kentucky, Lincoln grew to manhood in Illinois, teaching himself about law and starting a law practice in Springfield. He often came to Chicago, both for law and for politics. He rose to prominence in this state, culminating in his election as President. After he was killed, he was brought home to be buried here.
The Ridge has strong connections to Lincoln, which we will explore in several posts.
Ebenezer Peck (1805-1881) was a well-known consultant to Lincoln. He was a very powerful man in Chicago, a lawyer and an elected legislator, serving in both the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House. Lincoln often called upon Peck for advice. Peck was part of the delegation that informed Lincoln he was nominated for the Presidency. Lincoln met at Peck’s house following the election to plan his cabinet appointments. Peck accompanied President-elect Lincoln in his private train when Lincoln left Springfield for Washington, D. C. Peck made at least three visits to D. C. during Lincoln’s first term. Peck went to the White House in the summer of 1864 and told Lincoln: “Your reelection is necessary to save the Union, and no man must stand in the way of that success.“
Ebenezer Peck had a magnificent home just northwest of what is now 95th St. and Western Ave. It was one of the earliest houses on the Ridge, but destroyed by fire before 1844. He later lived in the Lake View area.
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on Good Friday, April 14, 1865. His body was brought home to Illinois by private train, where it laid in state in Chicago before being moved to Springfield for burial. Here is an article that appeared in a past newsletter of the Ridge Historical Society explaining that a Morgan Park resident by the name of Charles O. Ten Broeke built the catafalque or hearse for carrying Lincoln's coffin through the streets of Chicago. Also posted is an illustration from the May 20, 1865 Harper's Weekly (magazine), depicting the scene. And the last two pictures are of the house Ten Broeke lived in, from his time and the present.