Who is this person?

[RJNorton]

Hint #4: There is more than one Florida.

Hint #4.5: Linda Anderson, long ago, mentioned this in a post involving a student skit.

[Angela]

Is this the Seward home?

[RJNorton]

Kudos, Angela! That is the birthplace of William Seward in Florida, New York.

Way back on August 6, 2012, Linda Anderson made a post which included the following information:

(08-06-2012 09:43 AM)Linda Anderson Wrote:  Students from the Florida Union School District in Florida, NY recently performed a skit of Lewis Powell's attack on William Seward. There is a great picture included in the article from the June 2012 edition of The Florida Focus.

"William Henry Seward, arguably Florida’s most famous son, was born on May 16, 1801 in a house that now exists as a dilapidated barm at the rear of 35 North Main Street in Florida, NY. On May 19, 2012 the Florida Historical Society hosted their 21st Annual William Henry Seward Birthday Celebration, complete with cake, though without 211 candles...

The article Linda referred to is still online here.

Then, recently I saw this article in The Warwick Advertiser.

I thought some folks might remember it from Linda's original post because previously I think a lot of us had never heard of Florida, New York.

Angela, I cannot think of an appropriate prize so I will just send all best wishes to you for a wonderful trip to the USA!

[Angela]

Whoa, I can't believe this was right - Florida had me searching and I ended up with Seward. But I thought this would have been much more fancier...

Thank you for the prize, Roger! That is really all I need right now! I'm on my way and am counting the hours...!

[Eva Elisabeth]

Have a safe trip and great time, Angela - and please, keep us posted and/or report afterwards!!!

[Eva Elisabeth]

Who is this gentleman?
   
(Please excuse delays in my "hosting" of the question!!)

[RJNorton]

A young Dennis Hanks?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Excellent guess, Roger, but, I am sorry, not correct.

Hint #1: This sketch shows the gentleman upon his arrival in a city where he successfully sought to make his fortune.

Hint #2: This was in 1831.

[Rogerm]

Is that Abraham Lincoln, himself, arriving in Springfield?

[RJNorton]

I sure don't think he made a fortune, but is it Mentor Graham arriving in the New Salem vicinity (from Kentucky). Possibly a Lloyd Ostendorf sketch?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Please excuse me for being such a poor host this time. I expected it could happen, but not to that "degree". I promise bettering henceforth.

Both of yours are excellent guesses, Roger and Roger, but of these none is correct either.

Hint #3: The city is a city which still attracts MANY people worldwide for similar and other reasons.
Hint #4: A. Lincoln wrote this gentleman (or not) at least one famous letter.

[Rogerm]

Is it Joshua Speed?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Another very good guess, Roger, but it wasn't Joshua Speed either.

Hint #5: The gentleman made his fortune in journalism.

[Rogerm]

I will make another wild guess. Was this Seward's friend, Thurlow Weed?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Roger, this is a very hot guess. I am sorry to say it is not Thurlow Weed either, but you almost got it!