THE ILES FILES
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ELIJAH ILES HOUSE FOUNDATION
FALL 2000
MAJOR PROGRESS
IN EXTERIOR RESTORATION
“It is starting to look a lot like home.”
Elijah Iles
September 25, 2000.
The hard work of the last year is finally starting to
show on the exterior of the Elijah Iles House. During August and September, brick was laid on the
exterior foundation, over 20 truck loads of gravel
and debris were removed from the grounds and
replaced with good old Illinois top soil, the front
porch restoration was completed and the columns
and railings replaced. Wow! The picture to the
right shows the progress, but you really should
stop by to get the true effect.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Thanks to those of you have become Charter Members. As of September 29, 2000, there are 131 of you. For those of you who
have not yet joined, a Charter Membership invitation is enclosed. Please join.
Charles W. Adams
Dr. Roland & Susan Cull
Lois Hoelter
Jon & Pinky Noll
David L. Stevens
J. Fred Adams
John E. Daly
Frederick B. Hoffmann
Pat & Julia Noonan
Gay A. Stinnett
Jean Adams
Dr. & Mrs. Robert W. Dickerman
Constance Humphrey
Mary Oldfield
Cheryl Stogdell
Bailey's Place, Inc.-Robbie's
George J. Dietz
Thomas L. Iles
Carolyn Oxtoby
Nicky Stratton
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Bally
Joann Dilts
Jerome Jacobson
Alice S. Payne
Guerry & Michelle Suggs
Daniel M. Barringer
Richard D. Dunham
Eula H. Johnston
Linda S. Peyton
William C. Telford
David M. Barringer
Albert O. Eck, Jr.
Jan Johnson
Dr. Virgilio R. Pilapil
Thelma Iles Teel
Douglas M. Barringer
Phyllis Eubanks
Mrs. O. J. Keller
Elizabeth & Roger Ricketts
Donald R. Tracy
Judith Barringer
Ann S. Evans
Kathy & Scott Kincaid
Pamela A. Rivero
Dr. Bart & Penny Troy
Winifred Barringer
Connie & Frank Fegan
Richard Kerhlikar
Florence G. Roberts
Andy Van Meter
Judith H. Bartholf
Jeanne Flynn
Lee R. Korty
Edward J. Russo
Polly Souther Van Meter
Stephen P. & Carol Bartholf
Douglas I. Gamble
Doris J. Leonard
Joyce V. Sandage
Carl Volkmann
Molly M. Becker
Linda Garvert
Jean McCay
Anthony P. Scafani
Robert C. Walbaum
Edward & Judy Bedore
Elizabeth Grenzebach
Ed & Sue Mahoney
Paul & Sally Schanbacher
Charles White
Dr. Alan & Elaine Birtch
Marilyn & Perry Hall
Curtis Mann
David Scott
Thomas Iles White
Kevin Booton
Jane Hansberry
Floyd R. Mansberger
Robert & Kathy Sherman
William D. White
Bruce Brown
Shelby T. Harbison
John M. Maxfield
Betty R. Smith
Wm. David White, Jr.
Sally A. Cadagin
Dick & Ann Hart
Cheryl L. Meeker
Latham C. & Ruth A. Souther
Elizabeth Wirtz
James F. Conroy
Norman D. Hellmers
Richard R. Morse
Joseph L. Stannard, II
Randall F. Witter
Pamela A. Conroy
Earl W. Henderson, Jr
Bert Morton
Dr. Charles A. Starling
Dr. Philip & Barbara Woerner
William J. Conroy
Mrs. Noah T. Herndon
James E. & Edith Myers
David E. & Catherine Steckel
Jacqueline D. Wright
Robert M. Crane
Stanley M. Herrin
Ruth Neal
Mark O. Stern
Barbara Zillman
THE ILES FILES
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ELIJAH ILES HOUSE FOUNDATION
PAGE 2
IRWIN PLACE
RESIDENCE OF ROBERT IRWIN FAMILY
1841-1891
From 1841 to 1891, what we now call the
Elijah Iles House was known as Irwin
Place. This was a rightful designation, as
during those 50 years the House was
owned by the Irwin family. The story
begins with newlyweds Robert and Clara
Irwin moving to Springfield in January of
1834.
new mercantile partnership with his brother.
That partnership lasted until 1851 when
Robert sold his interest to his brother, John,
and became a charter member of the Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Company,
later the Springfield Marine Bank and now
Bank One. Robert remained a bank officer
until his death in 1865.
Advertisement from April 2, 1836 Journal.
Winter of 1834
The Young Irwins
Arrive in Springfield
The winter of 1834 was cold enough to
freeze over the Mississippi River, allowing
teams to bring the mail across from St.
Louis to Illinois. However, in January of
that year, before the river was completely
frozen, Robert and Clara Irwin crossed
"on ice when it was in motion, jumping the
open space between the ice and shore."
The couple had been married the previous
May in St. Louis and were on their way to
Springfield where Robert was to become
the partner of John Williams, owner of the
former general store of Elijah Iles. Apparently Clara made the journey while 8
months pregnant, as their eldest daughter,
Eliza F. (Lillie), was born on February 7,
1834, in Springfield.
Robert and Clara quickly established themselves as members of the Springfield business and social community, had four additional children, two of whom died young,
and lived at Irwin Place from 1841 until
their deaths—Robert in 1865 and Clara in
1884.
Robert Irwin
Active in Springfield Businesses
When Robert's brother John came to
Springfield in 1837, Robert dissolved his
partnership with Williams and formed a
game… was the humor of the evening
and the pacificator of the losers."
Irwin Entrusted
With Lincoln’s Finances
When Lincoln left Springfield for
Washington and the Presidency, he
entrusted Robert Irwin to take care of
his personal finances, and for that reason most Lincoln buffs recognize
Robert Irwin's name.
The Feminine Side of
Irwin Place
Robert also served as a director of one proposed railroad and later of an established one.
In 1840 he was appointed a director of the
Illinois State Bank. He was one of the founding members of the Sangamon County Horticultural Society. He was also active in politics, attending Whig Party conventions as a
delegate, and he joined with others in signing
the promissory note to financially support the
building of the capitol in Springfield (the Old
State Capitol).
Abe and the Boys
Play Euchre at Irwin Place
The Irwins were neighbors of the Lincolns,
and Robert and Abraham developed a friendship based upon more than just politics and
business. Robert’s nephew, William B. Corneau, recalled that Dr. Merryman, Stephen A.
Douglas, Nicholas Ridgely, and Abraham
Lincoln routinely gathered at Irwins’ (the Iles
House) for a game of euchre -- "Mr. Lincoln…while not so enthusiastic at the
Entertaining friends at home in the
1800’s was far more frequent than it is
today. Irwin Place was likely the site
of many social occasions attended by
prominent families of Springfield.
Caroline Owsly Brown’s memoir recalled that "Miss Lillie Irwin was a
fine pianist, while her sister, Ella,
played on the harp." The Irwins evidently wanted the girls properly finished for their future roles as hostesses
as music was very much a part of
entertaining. If only “the walls could
talk“.
Contributed by Linda Garvert, who
promises more on the Irwin Family
and Irwin Place in future editions of
the Iles Files.
Elijah Iles House Foundation
P. O. Box 144
Springfield, Illinois 62705
THE ILES FILES
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ELIJAH ILES HOUSE FOUNDATION
PAGE 3
DONORS
Grants-$100,000 or greater
Gifts-$100 to $500
J. Fred Adams
Mr. & Mrs. Morton D. Barker
Robert A. Barker Foundation
Amber J. Barnhart
David M. Barringer
Judith Barringer
Judith H. Bartholf
Gifts-$10,000-$15,000
Sandy Bauer
Edward & Judy Bedore
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Bartholf
Molly M. Becker
Mrs. Walter F. Brissenden
Dr. Alan & Elaine Birtch
Kevin Booton
Richard E. and Ann T. Hart
Dr. and Mrs. David Brandis
Carolyn Oxtoby
Bill and Julie Cellini
Springfield Board of Realtors
Bob and Miki Cooper
Dr. Roland & Susan Cull
Patricia Dawson
Gifts-$1,000 to $5,000
Delta Kappa Gamma,
Lambda Chapter
Winifred Barringer
Dan Dixon
Dr. Floyd Barringer Memorial
Richard D. Dunham
Phyllis Eubanks
Cruise For Charity
Federated Junior Alumnae Club
David L. Stevens
Faye A. Fortman
Polly S. Van Meter
Carl & Bette Franke
Dr. and Mrs. L. J. Garvert
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Randall S. Germeraad
Barbara Gossrow
Gifts-$500-$1,000
Dr. & Mrs. Donald R. Graham
William Hall
J. Fred Adams
Shelby T. Harbison
Norman D. Hellmers
William J. Conroy
Mrs. Noah T. Herndon
Historic Preservation Association
Stanley M. Herrin
of Springfield
Lois Hoelter
Ed Hofferkamp
Pioneer Craft Guild
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Iles
Richard & Alice Kaige
Gifts-In Kind
Mrs. O. J. Keller
Richard Kerhlikar
Ace Hardware
Maldaner’s Restaurant Cinda & Kim Klickna
Big Apple Bagels
Floyd Mansberger
Margot Kramer
Bixby’s Bagels
Kathy Pauley
Ronald & Susan Krause
Tim E. Krell
Bradley Publishing Co. Prairie Archives
Dr. & Mrs. Adarsh Kumar
Buckley’s Prairie Landscaping
Gregory Laun
Conn’s Catering
Prairie Seed Supply
City of Springfield
James S. Copley Foundation
State of Illinois (DECA)
William Crook, Jr.
Farrell Gay
Hardee’s Restaurants
Betty Souther McMinn
Jesse Scafani
Sherwin Williams Paint
Tobin Jewelers
Kathy White
Anthony Leone
Floyd Mansberger
Marilyn Mason
Charles Matheny
Dr. & Mrs. Stephen A. Mayer
Jean McCay
Logan L. McMinn
Jay and Susan Mogerman
Paul Morf
Mr. & Mrs. Grant Mueller
Mrs. Elaine G. Myers
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Myers
Patrick & Julia Noonan
Linda Oleheim
Questors Mary Todd Lincoln Chapter
Robert Radmacher
Priscilla Mueth Reyhan
Florence G. Roberts
Sarah Anne Robinson
James E. Roth
Elaine U. Ryder
Joyce V. Sandage
Anthony P. Scafani
Paul R. & Sally Schanbacher
Mr. & Mrs. William R. Schnirring, Jr.
Thomas F. Schwartz
Terry A. Scrogum
Latham C. & Ruth A. Souther
Mr. & Mrs. Byron Spencer
Springfield Chinese
American Association
Dr. Charles A. Starling
David & Catherine Steckel
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey B. Stephens
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Stewardson
Nicky P. Stratton
Margaret and Robert Summers
Dell Souther Thoma
Mr. & Mrs. Gordon R. Thomas
Westside Neighborhood Association
Elizabeth Wirtz
Judge & Mrs. Harlington Wood
Dr. Philip & Barbara Woerner
Wayne Worker
Dr. & Mrs. Donald H. Yurdin
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: OLD BRICKS and MORTAR
An old historic house should have a foundation to match its age. Giving the Iles House's foundation that "historic look" was a
recent restoration challenge. First, appropriate brick had to be found to cover the poured concrete lower level wall. Since valuable archeological evidence was lost when the lower level was demolished for the 1910 move of the house to South Fifth Street,
pre-1910 photographs were used to confirm the use of brick as foundation material. Knowledge gleaned from other 19 th century
Springfield structures determined what would be an appropriate basement facade.
Until the last half of the 19th century, bricks were hand-made locally, often by using clay dug from the foundation's hole. The
clay was pugged (kneaded) into a workable consistency, pushed into hardwood molds, screeded, and allowed to air dry. Once
dried, the raw bricks were stacked with spaces between each stack as fuel ports. Wood fuel was placed between each stack and
the whole covered with additional wood fuel and brickbats. Once the pile was ready to be burned, the fire's temperature was
brought up slowly so as not to have the raw bricks explode. Oftentimes, additional wood was added to the fire to bring the temperature up to about 2000 degrees. The heat from this hot fire baked the soft bricks into a hard product. The bricks were then
allowed to cool slowly, a process similar to the firing pottery in a kiln. Bricks made and fired in this manner are not comparable
to the hardness of modern building bricks or the harder paving bricks, and so are referred to as "soft brick." These old bricks
have a hard "crust" on their exterior with a soft interior, not unlike a loaf of French bread.
Board member Robert Sherman was successful in locating a sufficient quantity of mid-19th century "soft brick" in Peoria which
met with the approval of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. A special mortar formula like that used in the 19 th century
was needed for the joints. Portland cement mortars used with today's hard bricks are much too hard for use with these historic
bricks. The skilled brick masons prepared a mortar of lime, sand, and water with a little portland cement that would be compatible with the soft brick. This formula will allow the bricks and mortar to expand and contract at a more even rate and prevent the
bond between the two materials from breaking during seasonal climatic changes. Originally, mortar would consist of lime, unwashed sand, and water. Unwashed sand would have particles of clay, thus producing a softer mortar. No portland cement
would have been used in this early mortar mixture.
Contributed by Robert Sherman.
ELIJAH ILES HOUSE FOUNDATION
P. O. Box 144
Springfield, Illinois 62705
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Springfield, IL
PERMIT #990