Young Abe Lincoln and Early Politics

The story of Abraham Lincoln's life is a fascinating one, and the subject of thousands of books. I will touch very briefly on this life prior to his marriage.

Lincoln was born Feb.12, 1809 in a one-room log cabin in Hardin Kentucky, the son of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. He had an older sister, Sarah, as well as a brother who died in infancy. At age 7 Lincoln's family moved from Kentucky to the backwoods of Indiana. Following the death of his wife, Lincoln's father married Sarah Bush Johnson, who Lincoln became very close with.

When Lincoln was 19, his sister Sarah died while giving birth. A year later, Abraham's family moved to Illinois and shortly thereafter Abe set out on his own to live in New Salem, Illinois. In this new city of 90 people, Lincoln worked as a clerk at a village store.

During the 6 years Lincoln was in New Salem, he entered into politics, studied law and received his law license. He was also appointed Postmaster of New Salem and Deputy County Surveyor, both positions he held for 3 years.

At the age of 28 Lincoln moved to Springfield, IL, where he traveled on the judicial circuit court throughout central and eastern Illinois. He became a law partner with Mary Todd's cousin, John Stuart, and argues his first case in the Illinois Supreme Court. This same year he meets Mary Todd at a dance in Springfield.

The year is now 1840 and Abraham Lincoln is 31 years old.