ABOUT THE OWNERS & FARMSTEAD
Indian Creek Farmstead LLC is owned by John and Judy Lyons. During the past few years, our families have visited many "Agratainment" or "Agritourism" locations throughout the Midwest and Western U.S. Each year, our families would share their "finds and experiences" with each other and pick the most popular features that would be incorporated into our today's Farmstead. We already had the perfect farm setting, vintage farm buildings, rolling hills, native timber, and scenic views with a great location just a few miles from Lincoln's New Salem State Park and Historic Petersburg, Illinois.
In the past few years, we acquired adjoining land, developed trails through the timber and added to the overall farm infrastructure. We created the perfect venue for fall festivals, entertainment for kids and adults, and a tourist spot for connecting with nature and agricultural experiences. We are excited to share our farmstead and its bounty with generations of visitors. We offer a clean, convenient, and educational learning experience about farm life.
FARMSTEAD HISTORY
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
PIONEERS OF HISTORY
HENRY CLARK AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Milton Clark's father was Henry Clark who was born in Kentucky in 1805, four years before Abraham Lincoln. He was one of the first settlers in Menard County and became a major landowner. He started with an 80 acre homstead in 1828 which was just a few miles south west of Indian Creek Farmstead. Henry was married to Mary "Polly" Slicker and had four girls and one son whose name was Milton William Clark (1831-1918)
Henry Clark served with Mr. Lincoln in the Black Hawk War. Henry was a prominent citizen and had extensive land holdings in Menard County. Henry was considered one of the "Lincoln Boys" and Lincoln leveraged Clark's local influence while living in the area. Abraham Lincoln lived in New Salem (1831-1837) and become best friends with William G. Greene as they were both clerks in the Offut's general store.
William Green went to Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. President Lincoln asked if they were backing him in Petersburg. William Greene told the President that "Clark" was opposing him in the upcoming election.
"Bill, when you go back home, go see Henry Clark and tell him I sent you." Said the President, "Say to him that at one time when he had a hard fight on his hands, I stood by him and now that I have a hard fight on, I want him to stand by me!"
When Clark got the message, he told Greene: "Tell Abe Lincoln that Henry Clark remembers and that he and his house will stand by him."
THE REST OF THE STORY
Mr. Lincoln once served as Clark's second in a fight with Ben Wilcox after Clark and Wilcox had engaged in a lawsuit. "After the conflict, the seconds conducted their respective principals to the river, washed off the blood, and assisted them to dress," Robert B. Rutledge later told William Herndon. "During this performance, the second of the party opposed to Mr. Lincoln (John Brewer) remarked, "Well Abe, my man has whipped yours, and I can whip you." Now this challenge came from a man who was very small in size. Mr. Lincoln agreed to fight provided he would 'chalk out his size on Mr. Lincoln's person, and every blow struck outside of that mark should be counted foul.' After this sally, there was the best possible humor and all parties were as orderly as if they had been engaged in the most harmless amusement." The match was to have important consequences for Mr. Lincoln's social acceptance and political success. (Source: Lehrman Institute on Lincoln Studies).