Freeport, Illinois

Freeport is a city located in Stephenson County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,443. It is the county seat of Stephenson County{{GR|6}}.

Claim to fame

Freeport's has two primary claims to fame (or infamy).

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First, it was the site of the second of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 and where Stephen A. Douglas articulated his Freeport Doctrine.

Related Topics:
Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 - Stephen A. Douglas - Freeport Doctrine

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Second, Freeport is the birthplace of Charles Guiteau, the assassin of U.S. President James Garfield in 1881.

Related Topics:
Charles Guiteau - James Garfield - 1881

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Freeport is the birthplace of several celebrities. Among them are:

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• Calista Flockhart, the star of the Fox Network's acclaimed "Ally McBeal" television show.
  
• Louella Parsons, the famous Hollywood gossip columnist. She is portrayed in the movie "Cats Meow" by Jennifer Tilly
  
• Deacon Davis of Harlem Globetrotters fame.
  
• Robert L. Johnson, founder of BET.
  
• Preston Pearson, NFL football star with the Dallas Cowboys.