A forefather of the state of Illinois, Judge Sidney Breese’s former home now serves as the Clinton County Historical Society Museum in Carlyle. Born in 1800, Breese held many positions in his public career, including U.S. state’s attorney, Illinois Supreme Court justice, U.S. senator and speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, leaving a lasting legacy within the state.
While on the Illinois Supreme Court in 1841, Breese presided over Abraham Lincoln’s first case representing an enslaved person, Nance Legins-Costly. Lincoln won the case because of a decision made by Breese, beginning a 25-year-long friendship between Breese and Lincoln, who worked on more than 65 court cases together. Breese also wrote the first printed book in the state of Illinois, The Breese Reports, detailing all his court cases as an Illinois Supreme Court judge, which lawyers still reference today.
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He wanted to be remembered most as the “Father of the Illinois Central Railroad,” which is inscribed on his tombstone in Carlyle Cemetery. Starting in 1835, Breese began lobbying for a railroad connecting the Illinois and Michigan Canal with the lower Mississippi River across to the Pacific Ocean. After 15 years, the bill finally passed.
The Clinton County Historical Society welcomes visitors to the museum for a firsthand look at Breese’s life and to learn more about Illinois history. They host several events, including classic movie nights, silent auctions, vintage markets, classes, talks and more. To learn more, visit sites.google.com/view/cchistoricalsoccarlyleillinois or call 618-594-7907.
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