Peoria Standard

Sometime during the 1873 legislative session, Andrew Henry of Greenville, a judge and state legislator, sat for a portrait with an acclaimed Springfield pencil and crayon artist named Dennis Williams.

Williams completed the illustration, signed it, marked it with the year, then placed the drawing in a frame stenciled “From C.C. Howorth’s Picture & Frame Store. No. 14, American House Block.”

What happened next is unknown. Presumably, the portrait was displayed somewhere—maybe Judge Henry’s chambers or his home, or perhaps the home of a family member.

By September 2021, the portrait had made its way to a Durham, North Carolina thrift store where it was purchased for $20 by local art collector Andrew Cook.

Cook was curious about the artist and the subject of his illustration. Searching online he found a brief article on the Sangamon County Historical Society’s online encyclopedia, SangamonLink.

“I think I have a large portrait…of Judge Andrew G. Henry, done by Dennis Williams,” he typed into an online comment form adjacent to the article. “I’d like to get more information about Mr. Williams and the judge as well.”

It turned out that he wasn’t alone.

A Springfield artist, author, college instructor and historian named Mary Frances had read about Williams in a 1987 book by Robert L. McCaul called "The Black Struggle for Public Schooling in Nineteenth-Century Illinois." She was particularly intrigued by the mystery surrounding his death in 1889.

“I made a commitment to find out what happened,” she later said.

Frances’ research led to a much more extensive biography of Williams published online in 2021, just in time for Andrew Cook to seek more information about the creator of the portrait he found in that Durham thrift store.

Cook and Frances got in touch and were able to verify the authenticity of the drawing. It was quite a find as only a small number of Williams’ drawings had survived nearly 150 years since their creation. In fact, only three signed and dated portraits by Dennis Williams had been confirmed to still be in existence.

So: who was Dennis Williams?

“Dennis Williams fascinated and intrigued people while he was alive and even now after his death,” Frances said. “African American history is sometimes difficult to know and document yet the effort is worth it.”

Williams had been born into slavery in Mississippi on Christmas Day in 1851 and learned to develop his own artistic skill.

“When first given a primer, Dennis felt happy,” reads a profile of him in 1881’s History of Sangamon County. “The pictures of dogs, cats and other animals at once arrested his attention, and these small if not rude pictures first turned his attention to the life of an artist.”

At the end of the Civil War his family came to Springfield and are first mentioned in the city directory in 1865. His stepfather John Kelsey was employed as a plasterer. John died of tuberculosis in 1881 and Dennis’ mother Margaret followed two years later; her cause of death is unknown. Both were buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery without markers.

Dennis lived at 1109 E. Carpenter Street northeast of downtown for most of his life. He opened a studio above a grocery store on town square advertising himself as “the old reliable crayon artist.” His business cards featured color drawings of kittens.

At one point when business was slow he grew discouraged but eventually resumed pursuing art according to an 1881 history account: “But artistic aspiration was in him; … he again took up his pencil.”

As word spread famous Springfield residents sat for portraits including Abraham Lincoln Senator John A Logan future U.S Supreme Court Justice David Davis among others In 1879 relocated studio above shoe store near Lincoln's old law office

His artwork won awards at Sangamon County Fair Illinois State Fair throughout '70s described energetic genius intelligent popular perseverant sought after special occasions birthdays holidays

Williams especially popular Capitol legislative sessions possibly how met Judge Henry Legislator prominent citizen could get bust portrait $10 full-length drawing $14 Pre-dating Amazon century half sent finished portraits out-of-town subjects guarantee unhappy send back free shipping

He did more than just portraits people however nature portraits well known around Springfield advertised city directory '70s

Newspapers featured many as hundred portraits Mr Williams born artist said Illinois State Register September '82 very successful catching features perfect expression subjects blends lights shades harmoniously give exquisite tone work

His artwork exhibited House chamber Capitol stores galleries around Springfield even '84 World’s Fair New Orleans

Married Olivia Bowers '83 two daughters Ethel Clara both died infants buried Oak Ridge

Prominent local businessman active community dozen years worked improve facilities state fair sought new parish African American worshippers helped plan Emancipation Day events '80s politically active started Young Republicans Club '80 member Blaine Logan Club supporting national Republican ticket '84 election served secretary First Ward Republicans Springfield Central Republican Club

Did all this while struggling health problems most life family arrived all taken sick fever believed malaria stated interview ‘87 nearly worked down needed rest struck another bout malaria ‘88 left San Francisco ‘89 hopes west coast climate might improve health never made it

Died El Paso Texas under mysterious circumstances following incident aboard westbound train local newspaper reported died tuberculosis no death certificate filed talented artist friend many prominent figures buried near wife’s home Cairo Illinois story might ended there if not work Mary Frances lucky find North Carolina thrift shop rekindled interest work

Portrait Judge Henry brought back prominence acquired Illinois State Museum last year currently undergoing conservation efforts Museum expects put display sometime future

Frances working place plaque recognizing mother stepfather two daughters Oak Ridge Cemetery final resting place Abraham Lincoln some prominent residents depicted crayons September University Illinois Springfield host presentation life work Find out more