Abraham Lincoln

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The Emergence of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln began his political career in Illinois during the 1830's. Lincoln's family moved to Illinois from Indiana in 1830 when Lincoln was 21 years of age. The family settled on a farm near Decatur and, shortly thereafter, moved to Coles County. The location of this farm is now the Lincoln Log Cabin Historic Site.

Lincoln moved to New Salem in 1831 to be a clerk in a store owned by Denton Offut. He lived there until 1837. While he was in New Salem, it is believed Lincoln fell in love with Ann Rutledge. However, she died in 1835.

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The Lincoln family farm home in Coles County

During the Black Hawk War, Lincoln enlisted in the Illinois militia, though he saw no action in battle. Lincoln ran for the state legislature in 1832, but had little time for campaigning due to his service in the military. He lost that election, but ran again in 1834. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives as a member of the Whig party. Lincoln served four two-year terms in the House.

Lincoln led the movement to move the state capital to Springfield. Construction began on the new state capitol in 1837, and it was completed in 1839. Lincoln earned his law degree in 1836. He moved to Springfield in 1837, where he bought his only home. Lincoln practiced law with John T. Stuart until 1841. He then joined the firm of Stephen T. Long, considered one of the state's greatest lawyers. Lincoln became a law partner with William H. Herndon in 1844.

From 1839 to 1853, Lincoln traveled the Eighth Circuit Court practicing law. The Mt. Pulaski and Metamora Courthouses are the only two original Eighth Circuit courthouses where Lincoln practiced law that are still standing today. Lincoln met Mary Todd soon after moving to Springfield. They married in 1842 and had four boys, Robert Todd, Edward, William and Thomas.

Lincoln was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Whig in 1846. Lincoln opposed the Mexican War, but he didn't oppose the annexation of Texas, where slavery was already legal. Lincoln was against slavery in any other new territories acquired by the United States. He served one term and then retired to his home in Springfield.

Lincoln remained popular in Illinois during his time away from politics. He practiced law throughout the state. The town of Lincoln, which is the seat of Logan County, was named in his honor. A reproduction of the Postville Courthouse is in Lincoln.

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The "Courthouse on the Bluff" in Thebes, where it is believed Lincoln practiced law, overlooks the Mississippi River.

Additional Resources

For more information about Abraham Lincoln:

	check out Abraham Lincoln Online;
	the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency's The Lincoln Legal Papers;
	Lincoln documents at the Illinois State Archives;
	and The Lincoln Log: A Daily Chronology of Abraham Lincoln's Life.

Study Guide Questions

What did Abraham Lincoln do to support himself prior to 1837?
When did Abraham Lincoln begin his political career? To what party did he originally belong?
What was a major accomplishment of Lincoln during his tenure in the state House of Representatives?
What type of lawyer was Abraham Lincoln? How did he conduct himself in the courtroom? What type of cases did he handle?
What were Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery during the early part of his political career?
What did Lincoln do after leaving politics following his term in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Vocabulary

abolition
advocated
annexation
boon

bankrupt
discord
emigrant
immigrants

influx
professed
skirmishes
unsanitary

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