From Kentucky Cabin to White House

By Jonathan A. Ward

In honor of Presidents Day I researched a bit into the life of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in rural Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln, a farmer, and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Leaving Kentucky, the family first moved to Indiana, but went on finally settling in Illinois, “The Land of Lincoln.” Abe’s formal schooling was little, but he was a voracious reader, becoming very well-educated. As he grew into manhood he worked as a farmer, store clerk, bartender, and postmaster. He also served in the Illinois state militia. Lincoln studied law on his own and became an attorney. Lincoln represented anyone who would hire him and thus handled quite an array of different clients and cases.

Lincoln opposed efforts to expand slavery into new states, and this motivated him to get involved in politics. He served four terms in the Illinois State Legislature, followed by winning a US congressional seat. In 1860 he won a four-way race for president. His election caused some southern states to secede from the United States (some states had already seceded). Even greater than his opposition to slavery was Lincoln’s determination to preserve the union. He believed that secession by southern states was illegal and was determined to fight. Southern states’ attacks on Federal forts lit the fuse resulting in Civil War.

Because of his toughness, Andrew Jackson was called “Old Hickory.” Well Lincoln was also brought up on America’s frontier. He used an ax to clear land and split logs, and he farmed. He survived tragedies and proved himself equally hardy as Jackson. Some losses and trials Lincoln faced in his lifetime::

When Lincoln was 9, his mother died.

When he was 19, his sister, only 20, died.

In his early 20’s, Ann Rutledge, his first love, died.

He lost elections for the US Congress (later he won) and for the US Senate. 

Of Lincoln’s three sons, only Robert Todd Lincoln lived to adulthood.

He suffered from severe depression.

He served as our president during a time of rebellion, and led our nation during its bloodiest war.

Lincoln had a keen intellect and wit. Here’s just a few of his memorable quotes:

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”

“My experience has taught me that a man who has no vices has damned few virtues.” 

“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” 

“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”

“If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.”

“I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”

“Avoid popularity if you would have peace.”

“People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

“Those who write clearly have readers; those who write obscurely have commentators.”

“Nearly all men stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Major accomplishments achieved during Lincoln’s presidency:His Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Constitutional Amendment abolished slavery; Homestead Act provided free land to settlers, encouraging westward expansion; Morrill Act established land-grant universities, creating a new system of public higher education; National Banking Act created a uniform national currency and banking system, vital for financing the war and modernizing finance; and Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday — which most people enjoy — turkeys not so much..

Lincoln’s Civil War victory restored our country, and before he was assassinated he began a reconstruction of the South devoid of revenge. These are Lincoln’s memorable words from his second inaugural speech: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”