Neal Gamm ~ Governor of Forgottonia

Gov. Neal Gamm

Elected Governor at 25 years old, a young whippersnapper named Neal Gamm poised as the head of a rag-tag group of activists who would come to capture the attention of the nation. As Wikipedia notes, there has long been frustration with the lack of support for regional transportation projects. In 1971, the Republic of Forgottonia…

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Rick Johnson – Journalist

Rick Johnson Creem Magazine

As an illustrious contemporary and cohort at the fabled CREEM magazine of rock journalists Dave Marsh and the infamous Lester Bangs, Rick Johnson is a considered a legend, albeit almost completely unknown today to the general public. His fans were numerous, including Bangs himself and Dave Barry, the syndicated columnist and New York Times best-selling author…

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Benny Kim – Acclaimed Violinist

Benny Kim violinist

Macomb native, and internationally known and acclaimed violinist Benny Kim has performed as soloist with the symphony orchestras of Chicago, Boston, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, Hong Kong, and South Africa to name a few. In recital, he has performed in virtually every major city including two critically acclaimed recitals at the 92nd St. Y in New…

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Preston Jackson – Artist / Sculptor

Preston Jackson

Preston Eugene Jackson has been called “one of the greatest black artists of our time.” Born in Decatur, IL Jackson attended Oakland Elementary School and Stephen Decatur High School, where he ran the one hundred yard dash in 9.7 seconds. Graduating in 1962, he attended Millikin University while working at Revere Copper. In 1967, Jackson enrolled…

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George Francis Chase – Brigadier General U.S. Army

Gen. George F. Chase

Brigadier General George Francis Chase (1848 -1925) was the commander of the 15th Cavalry Regiment and in 1907 he became the United States Army Inspector General for the Department of the East. He was born on July 29, 1848 in Macomb, Illinois to James Morris Chase and Salina Venable. He attended the United States Military Academy from July 1, 1867, to June 12, 1871. He…

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Lawrence Yates Sherman – U.S. Senator

Sen. Sherman

Lawrence Yates Sherman was born November 8, 1858 in Miami County, Ohio. His parents Nelson and Maria (Yates) Sherman, first moved to McDonough County, Illinois in 1859 and eventually settled in Jasper County in 1867. Sherman attended public school and the Lees Academy in Coles County. In order to pay for a college education he alternately…

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Cyrus Walker – Pioneer Lawyer & Judge

Judge Cyrus Walker

Cyrus Walker (1791-1875) was a pioneer lawyer with a wide reputation, especially for success in criminal cases. He was a Virginian who moved to Macomb from Kentucky in 1832 and who’s uncles were veterans of the Revolutionary War. Walker was a colleague of Abraham Lincoln, and instrumental in helping to arrange two of Lincoln’s historic…

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