Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Lincoln was born 216 years ago in Hodgenville, Kentucky, on this day, February 12th. I thought I should share some interesting thoughts and facts about one of our greatest leaders and Presidents.
Abe’s Early Years – Lincoln was born in a log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. Lincoln’s grandfather was killed in an Indian raid, and Lincoln’s mother, Nancy, died when he was just 9 years old. The story is that his mom died of a mysterious “milk sickness” that swept across southern Indiana. It was later learned that the strange disease was due to drinking tainted milk from a cow that had ingested poisonous white snakeroot. This put Lincoln’s older sister, Sarah, mostly in charge of the family and the kids. His father, Thomas, was busy working as a farmer, cabinetmaker, and carpenter. Sadly, Lincoln’s sister Sarah, who had taken care of him during his adolescent years, passed away while giving birth to a stillborn baby. Shortly thereafter, at the age of 17, Lincoln decided to leave home and go look for work. Lincoln performed some odd jobs on or around the river and in agriculture. At the age of 21, Lincoln’s father, Thomas, decided to move to the fertile lands of Illinois, on the edge of the Sangamon River. Abe decided to go as well and helped his father clear his new farm ground. Once that task was completed Abe again went off on his own, he made his home in New Salem, Illinois for six years. Lincoln and some friends would take goods by flatboat to New Orleans, Louisiana, and many say this is where Lincoln was first exposed to slavery.
Lincoln’s Loves – Lincoln’s first romantic interest was Ann Rutledge, whom he met when he moved to New Salem. By 1835, they were in a relationship but not formally engaged. She died on August 25, 1835, most likely of typhoid fever. In 1839, Lincoln met Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois, and the following year they became engaged. The couple married in November of 1842, and in 1844, the couple bought a house in Springfield, IL, near his law office. Lincoln was an affectionate husband and father of four sons, though his work regularly kept him away from home. The oldest, Robert Todd Lincoln, was born in 1843 and was the only child to live to maturity. His son Edward died at the age of 4 of tuberculosis. His son Willie died at the age of 12 at the White House. His youngest son, Tad, died at the age of 18 from heart problems. The deaths of their sons had profound effects on both parents. Lincoln is thought to have suffered from clinical depression. And later in life, Mary struggled with stress and was committed to an asylum a few times.
Very Controversial and Deadly Presidency – Between Lincoln’s win in the November 1860 election and his inauguration in March, seven states had seceded from the Union over fears that a Republican President threatened their rights, particularly in regard to slavery. Lincoln ended the speech in March by appealing to “the better angels of our nature” and ominous warning: “In your hand, my fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war.” Six weeks later on April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on the U.S. garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, kicking off the deadliest battle for Americans in our history. For years the number of dead men and young boys from the Civil War stood as gospel at 618,222… 360,222 from the North were killed and 258,000 from the South were killed. But now many historians are thinking that number is way too conservative. Think about this for a moment: more men died in captivity during the Civil War than the total number killed in the whole of the Vietnam War.
What About a “Modern” Civil War? This is the crazy part, none of us would ever want this to happen, especially when we start to extrapolate out all of the damage that would be done, lives lost and families torn apart. Despite what I hear from some old friends in the rural areas and those who are wildly bitter about modern politics, I can’t see this being any type of solution or path to solving our differences. If you consider roughly 2% of the American population was killed during the Civil War, a “Modern Day” Civil War would be much more horrific and destructive to civilization. Simply 2% of the current population would amount to nearly 7 million deaths. But many argue with modern-day technological advancements in weapons, etc… the death tools and devastation would be much much greater than anyone could imagine. Bottom-line, this is NOT an option of any sort. Things are much different in today’s world and the spillover impact would perhaps bring about the end of civilization as we know it.
Wrestling Hall of Fame – Lincoln is actually enshrined in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Great Emancipator wasn’t quite WWE material, but thanks to his long limbs he was an accomplished wrestler as a young man. Defeated only once in approximately 300 matches, Lincoln reportedly talked a little smack in the ring. According to Carl Sandburg’s biography of Lincoln, Honest Abe once challenged an entire crowd of onlookers after dispatching an opponent: “I’m the big buck of this lick. If any of you want to try it, come on and whet your horns.” There were no takers. Lincoln’s grappling exploits earned him an “Outstanding American” honor in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Lincoln personally test-fired rifles outside the White House – Lincoln was a hands-on commander-in-chief who, given his passion for gadgetry, was keenly interested in the artillery used by his Union troops during the Civil War. Lincoln attended artillery and cannon tests and met at the White House with inventors demonstrating military prototypes. Although there was a standing order against firing weapons in the District of Columbia, Lincoln even test-fired muskets and repeating rifles on the grassy expanses around the White House, now known as the Ellipse and the National Mall.
John Wilkes Booth’s brother saved the life of Lincoln’s son – A few months before John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln, the president’s oldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, stood on a train platform in Jersey City, New Jersey. A throng of passengers began to press the young man backwards, and he fell into the open space between the platform and a moving train. Suddenly, a hand reached out and pulled the president’s son to safety by the coat collar. Robert Todd Lincoln immediately recognized his rescuer: famous actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes. (In another eerie coincidence, on the day of Edwin Booth’s funeral—June 9, 1893—Ford’s Theatre collapsed, killing 22 people.)
Never Gave Up! We all know of Lincoln’s great accomplishments, but I’ve always found it interesting to look at the long list of failures he had to overcome prior to reaching greatness. What would our nation be like if he had given up or allowed failure to discourage him? Many historians say Lincoln may be the smartest U.S. President to ever serve our nation and probably the highest I.Q by a fairly large margin. I’ve included below his daunting journey to the White House. I’ve also included a few fun facts you may not have known about Lincoln: (Source: History, Wiki, Life)
1816: His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
1818: His mother died when he was 9.
1831: Failed in business.
1832: Ran for state legislature – lost.
1832: Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school, but couldn’t get in.
1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
1834: Ran for state legislature again – won.
1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
1840: Sought to become elector – defeated.
1843: Ran for Congress – lost.
1846: Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
1848: Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
1849: Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
1854: Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – got less than 100 votes.
1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
1860: Elected president of the United States.
