The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Deb Olson, The Quill
Approximately 25 people attended the dedication ceremonies for the newly placed grave markers for Thomas Jefferson Lincoln and his daughter, Emma M. Lincoln Nelson, on Sunday afternoon June 5th.
Harry Miller of La Harpe was the master of ceremony at the dedications. Last year while visiting the cemetery with his family, Miller was moved to action by comments made by his grand-daughter, Jenny. She said that it was not right that there were no stones to mark the Lincoln's graves. As a result of her comments, he did research on the Lincoln family in Hancock County at the Hancock County Historical Society in Carthage. He has discovered approximately 30 Lincoln relatives who lived in Hancock County.
As a board member of the HCHS, Miller worked with the group to raise the funds to purchase and place the new markers for Thomas Jefferson Lincoln and his daughter, Emma M. Lincoln Nelson. Major contributors to the purchase of Emma Lincoln Nelson's stone were Mr. and Mrs. James Whitcomb. James Whitcomb is Emma Nelson's great-grandson.
At 2:30 p.m. at the Majorville Cemetery, Miller briefly described his search and read a biography of Thomas Jefferson Lincoln, describing him as a link between pioneer history and modern times.
He was a 2nd cousin of President Abraham Lincoln who is known to have visited with his relative here on at least one occasion. Miller then spoke a benediction over the stone and thanked those who supported the project.
From Majorville, the group moved to the Webster Cemetery, also known as Wildwood Cemetery, where Mr. Miller memorialized Emma Nelson and dedicated the new stone at her grave.
Harry Miller is continuing his research on the other Lincoln relatives in the county, hoping next to raise a marker for Mordecai Lincoln, the grandfather of Thomas Jefferson Lincoln.
In his comments on Sunday Miller described the Lincoln family as early settlers of Hancock County, who exemplified the pioneer spirit of America.