Abraham Lincoln, from the backwoods of Hodgenville Kentucky, rose to become one of the greatest presidents of the United States. During his attempt to keep the Union in the Civil War, he gained more power and authority than any president before him.
A excellent politician, Lincoln was always looked upon for leadership for he put reason and thoughtful decisions behind his word. Abraham Lincoln, born to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hawks on February 12, 1809, was conceived in a log cabin built by his father. Abe had one older sister, and a younger brother that died as an infant. The Lincoln family moved a lot, from Kentucky to Indiana, and back to Kentucky. Abe read a book titled Mason Locke Weems’s Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, this book mad a lasting impression on him that persuaded him throughout his life.
By the time he was nineteen Abe reached his full grown height of six feet four inches. He held small jobs such as a clerk, postmaster and a few others through his early twenties. Then in 1832 he ran for county candidate against 13 others. Only four were to be elected and Lincoln finished eighth. In ‘834 he ran for a representative to the Illinois legislature, by this time Lincoln was well known and he got the election.
Abe began to study law, and in 1836 became a licensed attorney. In 1837 he made his first public stand against slavery, Lincoln avoided extreme abolitionist groups though he was greatly against slavery. On November 4, 1842 Lincoln married Mary Todd, whom he spent the rest of his life with. He became a United States Congressman, although he was an amateur, his goal was to make his mark. What might of made him fulfill this goal was the fact that he never lost confidence in himself.
Years went by, and Abraham could not stand slavery any more, he was elected by the republican party to do something about it. On March 4, 1861, Lincoln was sworn in as president of the United States of America at his first inaugural address. Soon after the Civil War began, and Abe had to take on a problem that is more severe than any preceding president. During his second year in office, on April 16, 1862, Lincoln finally signed a bill that abolished slavery throughout the land.
On November 19, 1863, Lincoln was called to deliver a speech at the battle sight in Gettysburg. Although Lincoln’s speech was short, it was definitely a masterpiece. On April 14, 1865, a man by the name of John Wilkes Booth planned to assassinate Lincoln. Abe was at Ford’s theater in Washington watching Our American Cousin. Booth made his way to the box where Abe was seated, around ten thirty p. m.
He put a pistol to Lincoln’s head a fired once, Abe’s body fell in his seat, and screams rang out “Lincoln is Dead. “That night as his wife stood by him, the doctors struggled to save Lincoln’s life. The very next morning, April 15,1865 Abraham Lincoln died, and a few hours later Vice President Andrew Jackson was sworn in. Of all of the presidents the most seems to be written about Abe. Although many sever evaluations were done on his life, it did not in any way lessen his prestige, and he still is looked upon as a great speaker, and a person that made a lasting impression on the United States of America.
