Something to See in Springfield, Illinois

An unassuming home at 1132 West Lawrence belonged to one John L. Lewis, a renowned labor leader who lived there from 1917 to 1965 according to the Historic Sites Commission of Springfield. He was elected president of a local chapter of the United Mine Workers, became a lobbyist and in 1911 a general field agent for the AFL.

He had left school at age 15 and worked in the mines until blacklisted for union activity.

In 1920, he became president of the UMW and held that position for the next 40 years. he died in 1969 and is buried in Springfield.

However, I saw in Wikipedia, that he lived in the Lee-Fendall House on Alexandria, Virginia, from 1937 until his death. The Lee part of the name comes from Robert E. Lee's father, Richard "Lighthorse" Lee. George Washingtom ate at the house, but did not sleep there.

I'll Have to Check This Place Out next time in Springfield. --RoadDog