Clark M. Smith was married to Anna Maria Todd, Mary Todd Lincoln's younger sister and Mrs. Lincoln traded at the store. According to Henry Pratt, author of Lincoln's Springfield, an important piece of history took place at this very location.
Early in 1861, when Lincoln was attempting to write his first inaugural address the well-wishers who came to see him at his office made work impossible. His brother in law offered the use of a back room on the 3rd floor above his store. The Smith desk on which Lincoln wrote the address is now on display in the Illinois State Historical Library.
