Image of the man who suited Lincoln lives on

The Menard (Ill.) County Historical Society Museum has a new oil painting in its collection, thanks to the descendant of the man who loaned Lincoln $200 for a new suit of clothes as he began serving in the Illinois General Assembly in 1834.

Edward Laning Kelly is a descendant of Coleman Smoot, the farmer who lent Lincoln the money. Kelly has donated his oil painting of Smoot and Lincoln to the museum’s collection. To learn more about Smoot, Kelly and the painting see the Ann Gorman’s article in today’s State Journal-Register.

© Copyright 2008 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.