Abraham Lincoln: From Humble Beginnings to a Lasting Legacy

Early Life

Abraham Lincoln was born in a modest log cabin in Kentucky, the second of three children. He had an older sister named Sarah and a younger brother, Thomas, who tragically died in infancy. Due to political unrest in their homeland, Lincoln’s family was forced to relocate to Perry County. They initially “squatted” on land with no legal claim until his father, Thomas, managed to purchase the property, providing the family with a legal home.

At the age of nine, Lincoln faced the heartbreaking loss of his mother, who succumbed to milk sickness. This left young Abraham, his father, and his sister to navigate life in the rugged wilderness. Despite these hardships, Lincoln was determined to educate himself. He only attended formal schooling for a few weeks at a time, but his thirst for knowledge led him to walk miles just to borrow books. Of all the books he read, the family Bible held a special place in his heart.

Entering Politics

Lincoln’s initial foray into politics was brief. He served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. During this time, he spoke out against the Mexican-American War, a stance that made him unpopular in his home state. His short tenure in Congress left little impact, but it was just the beginning of his political journey.

Lincoln and the Law

In the 1850s, as the railroad industry expanded westward, Lincoln worked as an attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad. He gained a reputation for his legal acumen, successfully handling numerous cases. One of his most famous cases involved defending a suspect against the testimony of a witness who claimed to have seen the suspect in the bright moonlight. Lincoln’s cross-examination of the witness, questioning the reliability of her account, led to the suspect’s acquittal.

Lincoln’s personal life was marked by both joy and sorrow. He was engaged more than once before finally marrying and having four children. However, only one of his sons survived to adulthood, a source of profound sadness for Lincoln and his wife.

The Civil War and the Fight Against Slavery

As President, Lincoln faced the monumental challenge of the Civil War. He made the bold decision to allocate $2 million in support of the war effort without waiting for Congress’s approval, demonstrating his commitment to preserving the Union. As the war progressed favorably, Lincoln seized the opportunity to redefine its purpose, turning it into a fight to abolish slavery.

Assassination and Legacy

Tragically, Lincoln’s life was cut short on April 14, 1865, when he was assassinated by well-known actor John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln lingered in a coma for nine hours at the nearby Peterson House before passing away the following morning. His body was transported by train to Springfield, Illinois, where he was laid to rest.