Zachariah N. Garbutt House - Pittsfield, IL - Abraham Lincoln on Waymarking.com

Marker Erected by: Abe Lincoln's Pike County.
County of Marker: Pike County.
Location of Marker: 500 E. Washington St., Pittsfield.

Marker Text:

Zachariah N. Garbutt House
Built ca. 1841-1846
Presidential Secretary John Nicolay's Home
All 3 of Lincoln's Presidential secretaries came from Pike County. John George Nicolay was one and lived here, 1848-1855. Nicolay started his career when he answered Zachariah Garbutt's advertisement for a printer's devil in the Free Press: "Wanted-an intelligent boy, from 14 to 17 years of age, who can read and write, to learn the Printing Business." Nicolay walked Pittsfield, spent the night sleeping on sacks of wool in the "Carding Machine" and got the job the next morning. Mr. and Mrs. Garbutt, who founded the newspaper in 1839, took a liking to Nicolay and took him into their home. Nicolay succeeded Garbutt as editor. Thomas Shastid (house on Jefferson St.) introduced Lincoln to Nicolay. Nicolay later moved to Springfield where he served as clerk to Illinois Sec. of State, Oziah M. Hatch of Griggsville. On a visit back to Pittsfield in 1860, Daniel Bush, editor of the "Pike County Journal", asked him to write an article advocating Lincoln as President of the United States on the Republican ticket. This editorial is believed by some to be the first to suggest Lincoln for President. Nicolay served as U.S. Consul at Paris, France, edited the Chicago Republican newspaper and served as Marshall to the Supreme Court of the United States, 1872-1887.

Rev. and Mrs. Zachariah Garbutt became John Nicolay's foster parents when he was 16.

Location Type: Historic Marker Property Type: Private Date of Event: 1848-1855 Location Notes: City street, marker open access, home is private and not open to visits. URL for Additional Information: [Web Link]

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