Local Civil War hidden identity story highlighted in Chicago trip

Posted on August 20, 2017
The person known as Albert Cashier of Saunemin was discovered later in life to be a woman born in Ireland. (Photo courtesy McLean County Museum of History)

By Cynthia Grau

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Museum of History is organizing a trip to Chicago to see a show based on a part of Livingston County’s history.

“The Civility of Albert Cashier” is a musical which will be performed September 17 at Stage 773 in Chicago. The production tells the story of Albert Cashier, who lived and is buried in Saunemin. Museum librarian Bill Kemp said Cashier kept a secret for many years.

“It’s really a wonderful, fascinating story of Albert D.J. Cashier, who was an infantryman in the 95th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and had a stellar Civil War career for three years,” Kemp explained. “Lo and behold, we learn much later, when Albert Cashier is in his 60s, that Albert is in fact a woman named Jennie Hodgers, who was born in Ireland in 1843. So, this remarkable story of this man who fights in the Civil War would turn out this man was actually a woman.”

There are a few tickets left for this show and can be reserved by calling (309) 827-0428. The bus will leave Bloomington at noon and stop in Pontiac to pick up ticket holders before heading to Chicago.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].

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