John Francis Rague (1799–1877; pronouncedra-gu) was a mid-19th century architect who designed and built numerous public buildings including the 1837Old Capitol of Illinois and the 1840Territorial Capitol of Iowa.[1] He was born on March 24, 1799, inScotch Plains, New Jersey. He studied underMinard Lafever in New York, and moved toSpringfield, Illinois, in 1831. While there, he designed both the Illinois and Iowa capitol buildings, the Tinsley Dry Goods Building and many Greek Revival homes. In Springfield, Rague was a friend ofAbraham Lincoln, and suggested Lincoln wear white gloves to dinner parties. Lincoln followed this recommendation.
Rague moved toMilwaukee,Wisconsin, where he is known for designing the Phoenix Building in Milwaukee, as well as the initial plan for theBascom Hill mall,North Hall, andSouth Hall at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison.[2] In 1854, Rague moved toDubuque, Iowa. While there, he designed a number of buildings, including thecity hall, Central Market House, thejail and many homes such as theMathias Ham House, andthe Langworthy Octagon House.[3] Rague's style varied widely over his career fromNeoclassical toFederalist toLate Victorian and even toEgyptian Revival.
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