Laura Jane Addams was born September 06, 1860 in the small town of Cedarville, Illinois. Jane, or "Jennie" as she was called during her childhood, was the eighth child of John Huy and Sarah Addams. Shortly after giving birth to her ninth child, which died during it's birth, Sarah Addams passed away, leaving a two-year-old Jane to be reared by her father and older siblings. Jane loved her father dearly and felt that he was the epitome of generosity, honesty, and integrity.
             John Huy Addams was a self-made millionaire as well as a member of the Illinois State Senate. During 1844, Addams migrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois in hopes to build a prosperous life for himself and his growing family. Addams helped found the town of Cedarville not only by creating new businesses within the town, but also by helping to establish a school for the local children, fashion a public library within his own home, as well as many other generous deeds that contributed to the betterment of Cedarville and it's citizens.
             Due to her father's involvement within the Illinois government and his friendship with a fellow politician, Jane was exposed to what many believe to be one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. John Huy Addams and Abraham Lincoln were close friends and Jane recalled vividly the tears her father cried when he explained to her that the two American flags which were adorned with mourning wreaths and placed upon their gates where in honor of the assassinated Lincoln. Even at the tender age of four, Jane felt this was a significant event in her life and always related the gentle Mr. Lincoln to the character of her own father. Little did Jane know at the time that during her adult years, she would partake in episodes that would bring her to the forefront of other presidents of the United States as well as various other titled figures of the world.
             Jane spent her childhood attending sc...