A SELF-MADE MAN - The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1849

[Gene C]

Slightly off subject, but interesting none the less....

In late 1839, arriving Mormons bought the small town of Commerce and in April 1840 it was renamed Nauvoo[1] by Joseph Smith, who led the Latter Day Saints to Nauvoo to escape conflict with the state government in Missouri. .... It is notable that “by 1844 Nauvoo's population had swollen to 12,000, rivaling the size of Chicago” at the time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo,_Illinois

Nauvoo is located on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River near the where the Illinois, Missouri and Iowa state boarders meet. It is about 130 miles NW of Springfield.

Joseph Smith died in 1844. To avoid further violence, Brigham Young led most of the Mormons further west, eventually settling Utah. The population of Nauvoo has remained around 1,000 for the past 100+ years.

It is an interesting place, well worthy of a visit if you are ever in the area.
http://www.beautifulnauvoo.com/