Abraham Lincoln

I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of undistinguished families-- second families, perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks, some of whom now reside in Adams, and others in Macon Counties, Illinois. My paternal grandfather, Abraham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockingham County, Virginia, to Kentucky, about 1781 or 2, where, a year or two later, he was killed by indians, not in battle, but by stealth, when he was laboring to open a farm in the forest.

As a Young Boy “Abe never gave me a cross word or look and never refused in fact, or even in appearance, to do anything I requested him. I never gave him a cross word in all my life…his mind and mine…seemed to move together.” –Sarah Bush Johnson Lincoln, Abe’s stepmother – His father remarried when Abe was 12.

Self-Educated “His chief delight during the day was to lie down under the shade of some inviting tree to read and study.” –William Herndon – Lincoln’s law partner “He kept the Bible and Aesop’s Fables always within reach, and read them over and over again.”

Self-Educated Lincoln only attended school briefly three different times –Lincoln described them as, “schools, so- called…[where] no qualification was required of a teacher.” His favorite author was William Shakespeare.

Lincoln at Work Abraham Lincoln worked a wide-variety of jobs before becoming the 16 th President. –Rail splitter Tales about his strength were often told and exaggerated

Lincoln at Work Sawyer –Carrying firewood and loading it on steamboats Passenger ferry –Built his own to ferry passengers to passing boats Riverboat man –Hauled freight along the river – made $8/month plus board.

Lincoln at Work Moved to New Salem, IL –Militia officer – Black Hawk War –Postmaster –Election clerk –Storekeeper –Surveyor –Candidate for state legislature –Rail splitter

Lincoln the Lawyer Lincoln had 3 law partners –3 rd - William Herndon – 16 years Lincoln handled a variety of cases, including local clients and national railroad lines.

Mary Todd Lincoln “Miss Todd, I want to dance with you in the worst way.” Abe was 30, Mary Todd 21, when they began courting. Mary Todd was from a rich, slave holding family and was well-educated. Both were born in KY, lived in IL, lost their mothers at a young age, and were fascinated by politics.

Mary Todd Lincoln Mary Todd and Abraham were engaged but was called off once. Historians believe that either Abe had cold feet or may have met someone else. During that time, Lincoln felt extremely guilty over how he treated Mary. His friends feared he was suicidal. “I have an irrepressible desire to live, until I can be assured that the world is a little better for my having lived in it.”

Marriage Nov 4 th, 1842 – Abe and Mary were married in a quickly arranged ceremony. Abraham gave Mary a ring enscribed with, “Love is Eternal.” “He is to be President of the United States someday. If I had not thought so I never would have married him, for you can see his is not pretty.”

Family Robert Todd – only to live to adulthood, died at age 82 in 1926 Edward – born in 1846, died in 1850, before his 4 th birthday William Wallace – born in 1850, died in 1862 Thomas ‘Tad’ – born in 1853, died in 1871 – had a slight speech impediment