To get a true picture of a community, many people look at the major employersâmanufacturers, businesses and organizations that bring people to town for jobs and contribute to the quality of life enjoyed by residents.
Stephen A. Douglas in Causes of the Civil War. Stephen A. Douglas (1813-1861) was an Illinois politician who dominated the U.S. Senate throughout the 1850s. He is perhaps best remembered for engaging in a series of fiery debates with Republican Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Illinois senatorial race.
In 1847, Douglas became a United States senator from Illinois. He held this office until his death on June 3, 1861. While he served in the House and in the Senate, Douglas played an important role in resolving differences between Northerners and Southerners over the issue of slavery.