WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Lincoln Avenue is named for President Abraham Lincoln. Many streets in 3rd ward are named after famous people connected with the Civil War.
People, places, and things in Lincoln’s life include:
1776 – Daniel Boone brought Lincoln’s grandparents to Kentucky,
1809 – Abraham was born and the U. S. made importing slaves illegal.
1842 – Abe married Mary Todd.
1857 – the Dred Scott decision making slaves unable to be citizens is passed by the Supreme Court.
1861 – Abraham Lincoln became President of the U.S.
The Civil War starts – Sept 17, 1862 – The battle of Antietam erupted. It was the single bloodiest day of the Civil War. The Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ‘s invasion of Maryland was halted and further advancement into Union territory was prevented. The horror of war was brought to Americans for the first time by photography with real battle photos.
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863 which changed the perception of the war from the issue of states’ rights to the ending of slavery. He gave the Gettysburg Address on Nov. 19, 1863. In 1864 Lincoln was re-elected President. In 1865 The Civil War ended. Lincoln was assassinated and died on Passover. The 13th amendment bans slavery.
The 1871 City Directory shows the Village of Canada (later 3rd Ward). Lincoln runs parallel with and next west of Hooker Avenue from north to south. There are 4 houses on North Lincoln with no addresses listed belonging to 1) George Graham, 2) Thomas Phillips, 3) Richardson’s new residence and 4) Egbert Tucker, (with my guess of #108) a mason, plasterer.
North Lincoln Avenue in 1959: (North from West Michigan) 108 Mrs. Eula Rice, 110 Wesley & Betty Duncan (Wesley’s Restaurant), 111 T. Morris & Vera Reed, 112 Edward L. & Leota Banker (Bankers Paint Store), 114 V.G. Spence, 123 L.E. Smallcombe, (mgr TR Dairy & Equip. Co.). French Intersects. 202 C.D. Egnew, (owner TR Taxi Line), 206 Edna & B.H. Mc Elroy, (emp. City of Three Rivers), 210 C.V. Davis, (Mich. Gas & Elec meter supv.), S.C. & Lorena Hagenbuch, 215 G.F. & Katherine Langworthy, M.C. Rowley (cook Rosie’s Dinette), 218 Donald & Lillian Kramb, Gerald (Hinkley Marvin Co.) & James ((U.S. Army) & Shirley. Pealer intersects. 310 C.E. & Gladys Garl, 314 Mrs. Effie Felker, 315 J.W. & Evelyn Fought (children: Jayne, Charles, Catherine, Sandra).
Next time: South Lincoln Avenue.
Submitted by Anna Smith, a Three Rivers history and mystery lover.
