How Did Abraham Lincoln Successful

Thomas Lincoln- Abraham Lincoln’s father’s life is a mystery as he was descendent from pioneer stock and records were rarely kept and accurate. “Thomas father was killed while he was still a young boy merely 8 years old while working on the farm by Indians” (pg.1 geniapp). This made Thomas have to grow up quickly and he set out offering to do labor to make a living and survive. This left little time for an education. Thomas found his niche as a carpenter and eventually was able to buy a farm, however he never resided there. It was in 1806 that Thomas found and married Nancy Hanks and they maintained residence in Elizabethtown, Kentucky in a cabin built by Thomas. It was merely one year later that Nancy and Thomas had their first child a daughter

by the name of Sarah (pg.1 geniapp) In 1808 Thomas would uproot his family to move to yet another farm he purchased on Nolin Creek, it was here on Feb. 12,1809 that Abraham would be born. Thomas would raise his family in the single room cabin for two years before again moving them to a more fertile farm in Knob Creek. Thomas would have another son, unfortunately he died during infancy. It was in 1815 when Thomas after hard labor was able to pay cash for the Knob Creek Farm. The family wasn’t done moving for at this time titles to land were inaccurate and hard to come by and Thomas would have to move his family yet again in 1816 to Indiana (pg. 2 geniapp) Life was very unsettled in Indiana but the land was surveyed and the Lincolns would have to adapt. Thomas had a mere cabin with little to no comforts for the family to reside in. Thomas would lose his wife in Indiana and struggled to raise the children so in 1819 he set out to Kentucky to bring back Sarah Bush who he would marry. (Pg.4 gienapp)
Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln- Sarah became Abraham, Lincoln’s stepmother, in 1819 when she remarried his father and came back from Kentucky with him and her 3 children. Sarah upon her arrival had seen the dire need for a woman’s touch and cleaned and took care of Abraham and his siblings. Sarah bathed them and mended their clothing and set out to improve their small mere cabin that was now her new home. Sarah began by making Thomas fix the cabin he built and give it a door to protect them from the elements. Her furnishings she brought from Kentucky helped to give the family some comforts. Amongst her belongings were books which she gave to Abraham to read to better educate himself. Sarah became very influential to Abraham, although she lacked education herself she encouraged Abraham to pursue his education. Sarah loved Abraham more than her own children, later Abraham stated “she has been the best friend in this world and that no son could love a mother more than he loved her” (page 5. Gienapp).
The Clary Grove Boys- In 1831 upon arrival in New Salem, Lincoln found his temporary home.

Lincoln’s life in New Salem was much different and he quickly found that not everyone was welcoming. Lincoln ran in to a local group of boys that were known for their mischievous ways to say the least. The Clary Grove boys at first did not favor Lincoln and tried to give him a hard time. It was only after Lincoln “wrestled Jack Armstrong local head of the rowdies that he won friendship and admiration”(pg. 12 gienapp). The Clary Grove Boys would continue to help play important role in Lincolns success during his political career. They would follow him in 1832 when Lincoln joined the militia (Pg. 17

gienapp).
Ann Rutledge- Ann Rutledge was young daughter of tavern keeper in New Salem, who Lincoln befriended at first mainly due to her status as unavailable. Ann was promised to be engaged to man named John McNeil. In 1833 Mc Neil finally confesses to Ann that his real name is McNamar and he must go back home to New York to handle family matters. The absenance and betrayal of McNeil allows for bloosming relationship with Ann. Two short years later in “1835 Ann and Lincoln become conditionally engaged, due to Ann’s desire for a formal release from her engagement to McNeil. For Lincoln it was a matter of wanting to pass bar. Neither Ann nor Lincoln was prepared for Ann’s sudden death in Aug. 1835 due to possible typhoid fever. Lincoln would never recover from Ann’s death” (Pg. 21 gienapp).
Mary Todd- Mary Todd a member of “prosperous Lexington Kentucky family came to Springfield in 1839 to live with her sister, she was bright ambitious and had a keen interest in politics.

Mary also had a volcanic temper, hysterical outbursts, but was known to be a witty conversationalist. Lincoln was attracted to her intelligence social grace and cultured background” (pg.34 gienapp). It was well known that Mary did most of the courting per Orville Brown (who was on legislature with Lincoln) (pg.34 gienapp). Lincoln was known for struggling to make commitments with women. “Lincoln had said that as soon as he made his commitment to Mary he immediately regretted it. Lincoln then went in a full depression but Mary Todd allowed him out of engagement, after a year finally they restarted courtship and was married 11/4/1842 with no notice” (pg. 35 gienapp). “Mary and Lincoln had their first son Robert Todd Lincoln in 1843. It was just three years later that their second son Eddie was born on 1846 all the meanwhile Mary struggled to polish Lincoln” (pg. 36

gienapp)
The Kansas-Nebraska Act: Kansas-Nebraska Act organized the region immediately west of Iowa and Missouri. Slavery had been prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase region. In 1820 under the term known as the Missouri Compromise, this prohibition was overthrown and in its place came the doctrine of popular sovernity, which allowed its residents to decide on slavery. It was May 30 when the Kansas-Nebraska act was signed into law by President Franklin Pierce (pg. 49 gienapp) there was protesting against the Kansas-Nebraska Act causing a triggered movement towards antislavery. (pg. 50.geniapp) “Lincoln felt the true intent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act was to allow slavery to expand” (51.geniapp)

As we look back over the history of Abraham Lincoln and reflect on his road to presidency we can see how the influential politician made an impact. Lincoln was not your normal presidency candidate; he grew up extremely poor with little access to education. Lincoln would face diversity on every aspect. Lincoln strongest attribute was his honesty; he was admired by many for being a kind, honest, truthful man who would do any type of work. Lincoln was a hard worker in every avenue of his life whether it was doing manual labor or educating himself Lincoln strived for greatness. Lincoln was a natural born speaker and had somewhat of a talent when it came to building friendships and easing a gathering crowd by telling stories. Lincoln later would join a debate group that also helped develop his public speaking skills. It was armed with these skills that enabled Lincoln to find confidence in himself and he began attending court sessions to help better acclimate himself with procedures, just another stepping stone in furthering his desire to be educated and move toward his political aspirations. Lincolns desire to learn showed when he became so proficient in writing that many acquired his assistance in legal preps. Lincoln would struggle his entire life with his want to study law versus his want to study politics.
In 1832 Lincoln would set out to run his first political race for a seat in the state legislature. At this time Lincoln didn’t have any money to back him but what he did have that his opposition didn’t was his “like ability”. Lincoln was well respected by many and well liked for his contributions to assisting his fellow neighbors. Lincoln armed with his tall stature and commanding voice began to rally for the seat. It comes to no surprise that when Lincoln spoke people gravitated to him; this became one of his strongest qualities and a major contribution to helping him obtain his ultimate goal of presidency. Lincoln’s road to presidency didn’t come without failure. He would be denied a seat in the state legislature his first time running, despite the minor setback Lincoln would try again and prevail. Many times Lincoln would come under scrutiny for his lack of commitment on issues that the people or other politicians felt to be of the up most importance. Lincoln’s abilities to respond in articulate and concise manner without offending helped him to assure his voters. That’s not to say that Lincoln was perfect at times in his career he would have to apologize nonetheless, Lincoln did so with great humility which just gained him more love and admiration from the community.
Abraham Lincoln as you can see had many attributes that contributed to his success in becoming president in 1860. His determination to be educated against all odds is commendable. Lincoln’s perseverance in politics despite his setbacks along the way is just another reason he was able to achieve his goal of presidency. Throughout his life we see Lincoln struggle but overcome to achieve his goals. Lincoln remained honest and respectful toward his constituents gaining him their admiration and the respect of his country. I consider all of these attributes throughout Lincoln’s journey to presidency to be what helped to shape him as a politician, and eventually helped him to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming the President of the United States in 1860.