Turney-English Residence
Springfield Journal Register, date of paper which originally published the following is unknown.
(Photograph courtesy of Mrs. Herbert S. Woods)
"
RECALLING THE TURNEY ENGLISH RESIDENCE ON SOUTH 6TH--
In its original form, this very attractive residence - occupied by the Turney English-Colburn F. Buck families for a
long period - comprised only half the width shown in this picture of about 40 years ago. That part was erected soemtime around 1840 by
Antrim Campbell, one of the well-known pioneer lawyers of Springfield, whose home it was until shortly after the Civil War, when it
was acquired by William Butler, prominent citizen of that era and close friend of Abraham Lincoln. Following Mr. Butler's death in 1876,
the homestead was occupied by his daughter, Miss Salome Enos Butler, until about 1894 when it was sold to Hiram E. Gardner. Up
to that time, the property occupied the entire south half of the block, on the west side of Sixth Street, north of
Cook. A year or so later, Mr. Gardner sold the north part of this frontage, including the old Butler home, to Turney English. This
property remained in the English and Buck families from that time forth until it was sold to the Illinois Bell Telephone Company, around
the year 1938. About the year 1901, Mr. English added a new section to the house, on the south side, with a wide veranda across the front,
making it about twice its original size. As will be noted, in this form it was a very pretentious residence. It was the scene of many
social events in subsequent years, maintaining the old hospitality traditions which had lingered from its long previous history. The terraced
lawn and the ornate iron fence and gave which had imparted a special touch of elegance from the pioneer days were kept intact until the
residence was razed. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Herbert S. Woods, the former Edith English Buck, acquired the old Leland Farm home, where her
aunt, Mrs. Tanner, now resides with her. One by one, the fine old homes of South 6th Street, the old bon-ton street of Springfield,
are yielding to the "march of progress," as business pushes farther out.
Submitted by: Jeanie Lowe.
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