I have noticed on maps a road named "Primm Road" in Lincoln, IL. Does anyone know which member of the "Primm" family it was named after and why that Primm was selected?

Thanks,
Steve

I know this has been discussed, possibly on the Logan County mailing list. I know this because for more than 50 years I thought "Primm" was a corruption of "prime," the Primm Road being the back road to Lincoln. I had no idea there was a person named Primm.

I may have a Clue? Not sure but in the book "Lincoln: A Pictorial History" by Paul E Gleason on page 43...is this..

"By 1854, two areas were added to Lincoln. One was known as West Lincoln and its proprietors were James Primm and
Eratus Wright. The annexed lots extended from Union to Elm Street and from Third to Sixth Street."

(This is not the location of Primm Road, but this shows he was a note-worthy buisnessman in our town's history.)

So just to add a guess, maybe it's named for this James Primm?

I found an article in the Centennial Newspaper from 1953 and it told how the streets in Lincoln were named, after famous people, after trees, ect...but they did not mention Primm road in the article..it may not have even been called Primm road at that time?

Barb

I have been studying the Primms, ancestors of mine that migrated into Illinois in 1809. John Primm came from Stafford County, VA. He moved into Sangamon County in 1820 and Logan County by 1844 where he is listed as a "Public Administrator." I was wondering if the road was named after him.

Thanks for your assistance.

My ancestor, John Primm had a brother, James, who was a Logan County Coroner in 1843 and later was a Logan County Public Administrator in 1851.

Maybe the road was named after him. If you find any more on Primms, especially why the road may have been named after one of them, I'd love to hear from you... or anyone else.

Steve

Primm family references in the Lincoln Herald:

1859 - 18 references to James, John, H E, Robert & William
Mostly for real estate transactions, but also Postville School

1860 - 24 references to Abraham, Daniel, Elizabeth, Hannah, James, John, Lissie, N E, Ninian, Thomas - all for real estate transactions

1861 - 26 references to Hannah, J L, James, John, H K, Private, Sinai, Thomas - mostly for real estate but also schools, politics, war

1862 -14 refereces for Hiriam, J L, James, Lizzie, Ninian, T, Thomas

1863 - 2 refereces for James (June-Dec missing)

1864 - (Missing)

1865 - (Missing)

1866 - 9 references for James, John

1867 - 7 references for James, John, Ninian - Logan County Board of Supervisors (Newly formed in 1867), real estate transactions

Primm references in "Logan County During the Civil War ..."
James, pg 43; Mr., pg 52; Private, pgs 49, 52; Thomas, pg 29.

Contact Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society to get copies of these. LCG&HS (217) 732-3200; 114 N. Chicago St. Lincoln, IL 62656 and lcghs1@msn.com

In the Union Cemetery books I have a lot of Primm's are buried there: (here they are)

Primm:

Thomas,M.D. 1838-1900
Priscilla M. 1843-June 27, 1905 aged 61 yrs.

(note to see Bain listings)
(note to see Gehlbach listings)

Primm:
T.F. d.Aug 12, 1880 aged 35 yrs Civil War-Army
Pvt. Co. H 7th Ill Inf

(one lot)
Primm:
Emma S. 1886-1966
Dr. Ninian B. 1878-1946
Olive 1892
Melissa 1853-1926
John J. 1848-May 10, 1926 Civil War-Army
Co. F 58 Ill Inf(Pvt.)
(one Stone)
Primm:
Mariah June 26, 1817-Oct. 7, 1899
James Sept. 4, 1809-Jan 14, 1872
Nancy Apr 23,1858-Mar 29, 1861
Mary E. April 17, 1858-Mar 29,1861
Edward T. Feb 14, 1846-Sept 25, 1921

Primm:
Sianna b. Virginia d. Aug 17, 1897 aged 82yrs.

Maria b. Virginia d. Oct 7, 1899 aged 82 yrs.

Dr. T. W. b. Ohio d. Jan 20, 1900 aged 61 yrs.9mo 1 da

Inf. Jno. d. Nov 18, 1892 aged 9 mo

Gertie d. aug 8, 1881 aged 5yrs

Myrtle J. d. Feb 6, 1886 aged 18mo

Sarah Ann b. Montgomery co, IL d. Nov. 18, 1904
aged 5 yrs 19da


Okay thats all the Primm's buried in Old Union Cemetery according to the book I have.

History of Logan County Illinois 1886 : page 640

James Primm, deceased, was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, in 1809. His father was Thomas Primm, and his gradfather, a native of the State of Virginia, was one of the pioneers of Illinois. James Primm came to Logan County in 1835, and was married in 1839 to Miss Maria Russell, born in Londoun county, Virginia, in 1818. Her parents, William and Nancy Russell, came at a very early day to what is now Logan County, but then was a part of Sangamon county. Mr. Russell had eight children, of whom only two are living-John Russell and Mrs. Primm. Mr Primm kept the first store at Postville, and was well known as one of the prominent early settlers of Logan County. In 1865 he settled on a farm in Chester Township, which he made a beautiful place. Here he resided till his death, which occurred in 1872. his wife still owns and occupies the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Primm had nine children, four of whom are living-Edward J., born at Postville in 1846, lives on the homestead; John, born in 1848; William R., born in 1850, and Ruth, born in 1853. The deceased children are -James M., Robert M., Thomas F., Mary E., and Nancy.#

History of Logan County Illinois 1878 Page:370

(city of Lincoln):
Primm, John J. laborer, Kickapoo St.
Primm, John N. medical student, with Thomas W. Primm
Primm, Thomas W. physician, Pulaski st;dem; from Illinos
Primm, William, herder, Sixth st., dem.

Page 464: (Chester township):
Primm, James Mrs. Sec. 4; P.O. Lincoln; Meth; from Ohio
Primm, Mrs. Sec.7, P.O. Lincoln; meth, from Ohio
##

1853 Lincoln Centennial Book: The Namesake Town:A Centennial History of Lincoln, Il (Published Feldman's Print shop) Lincoln, Il. august 27, 1953:

pg 9: The first post office was established in postville in 1840. James Primm was the first postmaster. He held the office until 1848 when he was succeeded by Solomon Kahn.

Thats all I have now, If I run across more I'll let you know, hope something is helpful.

Barb

From the Lincoln Courier Centennial Addition: 1953 following
tibit:

Article LOCAL POSTAL WORKERS HAVE FINE RECORD:

"John E.W. Primm, superintendent of mails, appointed in 1919 and Travis Hardin, carrier, who began in 1921. Mr. Primm is the grandson of James Primm, postmaster of the first post office at Postville in 1840."

From same addition of Lincoln Courier Centennial paper:

(retyped from The Morning Journal-1881): Excerpt on Primm:

FIRE DESTROYED TOWN "EYESORE"
"The little frame shanty of Dr. T.W. Primm's on Broadway, which has been an eye sore so long to property owners on that thoroughfare, was obliterated yesterday morning about 11 o'clock by a well timed fire. The blaze was caused by a spark, dropped from a pipe or cigar which boys had been using a short time before"#

From same Lincoln Courier Centennial addition:

Tibit out of Article: PRIMM NOTE IN ABE's HAND GOES TO COLLEGE HERE

"A note in Abraham Lincoln's handwriting has been purchased by Lincoln College. Known locally as the "Primm Note", the document has been in possession of Jack Primm of Lincoln." ##

This was a transfer of property between James Primm and Abraham Lincoln. The lot, believed to be only property owned by Abraham Lincoln in the town of Lincoln.

Okay Hope that helps. Barb