Owen Lovejoy - Abolitionist
Owen Lovejoy was born in Albion, Maine, January 6, 1811. The son of a Congregational minister, he attended Bowdoin College, graduating in 1832. He arrived in Alton, Illinois, in 1836, where his older brother, Elijah Lovejoy was a Presbyterian minister, and editer of an anti-slavery newspaper, the Alton Observer. Owen was present on the night of November 7, 1837, when his brother was murdered by an angry, pro-slavery mob, while attempting to defend his printing press. Owen Lovejoy vowed to never allow the cause that was "sprinkled with his brother's blood" to rest.
He came to Princeton, Illinois, in 1838, and was Pastor of the Hampshire Colony Congregational Church here, through 1856. He became famous as an abolitionist leader in Illinois, as well as conducting a station on the "Underground Railroad" in his own home. He was elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1854, and to the United States Congress in 1856, serving until his death, March 25, 1864. He was a lawyer, as well as a minister, though he never practiced law. He was a close friend and staunch supporter of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party.
Owen Lovejoy is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, Illinois.
Owen Lovejoy - Abolitionist
Owen Lovejoy was born in Albion, Maine, January 6, 1811. The son of a Congregational minister, he attended Bowdoin College, graduating in 1832. He arrived in Alton, Illinois, in 1836, where his older brother, Elijah Lovejoy was a Presbyterian minister, and editer of an anti-slavery newspaper, the Alton Observer. Owen was present on the night of November 7, 1837, when his brother was murdered by an angry, pro-slavery mob, while attempting to defend his printing press. Owen Lovejoy vowed to never allow the cause that was "sprinkled with his brother's blood" to rest.
He came to Princeton, Illinois, in 1838, and was Pastor of the Hampshire Colony Congregational Church here, through 1856. He became famous as an abolitionist leader in Illinois, as well as conducting a station on the "Underground Railroad" in his own home. He was elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1854, and to the United States Congress in 1856, serving until his death, March 25, 1864. He was a lawyer, as well as a minister, though he never practiced law. He was a close friend and staunch supporter of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party.
Owen Lovejoy is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, Illinois.