Sarah Jane Prettyman Smith (11 Jun 1912 – 1 Oct 1992) spent the majority of her life in Tazewell County.
The photo was submitted by her son, Richard “Dick” Prettyman Smith of Pekin, Illinois.
Here's some photos and short articles about various Tazewell County citizens — some famous, some infamous, and some just normal folks!
If you have a Tazewell County related article, photo, letter, or document you'd like to share, here's how to make a submission.
If you have questions or comments, please contact us.
1918 – Walter Louis Opper
Walter Louis Opper in a military uniform, circa 1918.
This photo is just one example of a collection of three thousand 8″x10″ glass negatives donated to TCGHS by Mrs. Sidney Eslinger of East Peoria.
1919 – Kief Family Reunion
First Kief Family Reunion was held in 1919 at Mineral Springs Park, Pekin, Illinois.
Photo donated by members Dennis & Marla Kief. Dennis is great-great-grandson of Mrs. Martin Kief.
1926 – Pekin High Football Letterman
1926 Pekin High Football Letterman
This photo was submitted by Edwin Lampitt – grandson of team member Ivan E. Lampitt.
1935 – Anne Louise Smith
Ann Louise Smith, class of 1935, daughter of daughter of T. N. & Elsie (Roth) Smith.
Originally posted as December 2021 Mystery Photo. Identified by visitors to our Facebook page.
1940’s – Pekin Grays Baseball Team
Pekin Grays Baseball Team – 1940’s
Originally contributed by Beth Rosenberg Zweig and posted as the November 2021 Mystery Photo.
All team members identified by Deanna Oltman.
1941 – Four Generations of the Lampitt Family
Four generations of the Lampitt Family
This photo was submitted by Edwin Lampitt – grandson of Ivan E. Lampitt.
1943 – WWII Armed Services Inductees
WWII Tazewell County inductees who took their service exam in Chicago on 23 November 1943
Contributed in 2006 by member Carole Martin.
1944 – Carl H. Porter – D-Day (June 6) Normandy Jump
When World War II broke out, Pekin Resident Carl Porter enlisted in the Army where he volunteered to be a paratrooper. Carl parachuted into Normandy, France with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) at 2 a.m. on the moonlit night of June 6, 1944, D-Day.
This is Carl’s story.
1944 – Green Valley High School Class
Our thanks to Grace Hutton Hoerr for naming all the students in this 1944 Green Valley High Class Photo!
Originally posted as October 2019 Mystery Photo.
1944 – Sally Wallinger
Sally Wallinger, class of 1944, daughter of Leroy and Mabel (Conn) Wallinger.
Originally posted as December 2021 Mystery Photo. Identified by visitors to our Facebook page.
1948 – Pekin High Track Team
1948 Pekin Community High School returning lettermen in Track.
Originally posted as April 2024 Mystery Photo. Identified by member Carol Walker.
