Zenas Aplington

Zenas Aplington was an American politician from New York. He founded the town of Polo, Illinois and is the namesake of Aplington, Iowa. He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1858, but died in battle with the 7th Illinois Cavalry Regiment at the Siege of Corinth before his term was complete.

Biography Zenas Aplington was born in Broome County, New York on December 24, 1815. Around 1837, he emigrated to Buffalo Grove, Ogle County, Illinois, where he worked as a farmer, blacksmith, merchant, and blacksmith. He built the Lee County Jail in Dixon. In the 1850s, he negotiated with the Illinois Central Railroad to have a section run through his property. Upon its completion, the town of Polo was established with Aplington regarded as the founder. Aplington purchased land elsewhere along the Illinois Central in Iowa with his newfound wealth, and in 1857, he co-founded the town of Aplington in Butler County. Aplington built the first building there, a general store, before returning to Illinois. In 1856, Abraham Lincoln lodged at Aplington's house for two nights while on the campaign trail for John C. Fremont.