SUMMARY: Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) sixteenth President of the United States
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Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States was born in southeast Hardin County, Kentucky. This is now part of LaRue County. He was born on February 12, 1809 the second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin on the 348-acre Sinking Spring Farm.

Abraham Lincoln grew up on the Sinking Spring Farm until his family moved to Perry County, Indiana in 1816. This move was partly because of slavery and partly because of the land disputes in Kentucky.

In 1818, when Lincoln was 9 years old his mother died of milk sickness or tremetol poisoning. His father soon remarried Sarah Bush Johnston. Abraham Lincoln liked his stepmother and called her Mother for the rest of his live.

Abraham Lincoln’s education was a total of about 18 months of schooling. He was however, an avid reader and educated himself. He was skillful with an axe and was a local wrestler. Lincoln stood 6 foot 4 inches tall and was a strong man.

He struck out on his own at the age of 22 when his father moved to Coles County, Illinois. He worked by taking goods down the Sangamon, Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd on November 4, 1842. She was from a slave-owning family from Kentucky. The Lincolns had four sons, but only one survived into adulthood. All the children were born in Springfield, Illinois. Their eldest, Robert Todd Lincoln was born on August 1, 1843. He grew up and attended Harvard College.

The next son, Edward Baker Lincoln was born in 19846 and lived almost 4 years. Then came William “Willie” Wallace Lincoln, he was born in 1850 and died when he was 12 years old. Willie died during President Lincoln first term. The couple’s last child, Thomas “Tad” Lincoln, was born in 1853 and died at the age of 18 in Chicago. Abraham was a loving husband and father. He cared for his family and often taught his sons through books.

Abraham Lincoln started his political career at the age of 23 for the Illinois General Assembly. He lost this election but was soon elected captain of an Illinois militia company during the Black Hawk War. After this he was elected into the state legislature. During this time Abraham Lincoln acquainted himself with the laws and taught himself law.

Abraham Lincoln was admitted to the bar in 1837. He became known as an intimidating opponent in his closing remarks and cross-examinations. Abraham Lincoln became one of the most respected lawyers in Illinois. Lincoln practice law in Illinois for 23 years and had more than 5,100 cases.

Lincoln served in the Illinois House of Representatives for four terms. He also became the leader of the Whig party. He made more than one stand against slavery. His first stand was in 1837. He was quoted saying the slavery was “founded on injustice and bad policy.

Abraham Lincoln was elected into the U.S. House of Representative in 1846 and spoke out against the Mexican-American War, even though he had little influence in the House.

Lincoln was brought into the Republican party in 1954, largely because his views against slavery. He was instrumental in forming the new political party. In the 1860 election Abraham Lincoln came in as an underdog. On November 6, 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States.

President Abraham Lincoln was elected to the office of President again in 1964. He delivered his favorite speech at his inauguration March 4, 1865. President Lincoln worked hard as a President during his terms in office. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves and making the United States free of slavery. He was President throughout the American Civil War, He was a great commander and chief, and the War consumed much of his time.

President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14,1865. Lincoln was shot in the head at point-blank range and was pronounced dead at 7:22 am on April 15,1865. The ball was lodged 6 inches onto his brain. He was taken by train through many states into Illinois in a grand funeral procession. He was a loved President and has more books written about him than any other person in history.