Essay Database

16th president of the U.S. (1861-65). Born in a log cabin in Hodgenville, Ky., he moved to Indiana in 1816 and to Illinois in 1830. He worked as a storekeeper, rail-splitter, postmaster, and surveyor, then enlisted as a volunteer in the Black Hawk War and became a captain. Though largely self-taught, he practiced law in Springfield, Ill., and served in the state legislature (1834-40). He was elected as a Whig to the U.S. House of …

…not assured, but strategic battle victories turned the tide and he easily defeated G. McClellan in 1864. His platform included passage of the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery (ratified 1865). At his second inaugural, with victory in sight, he spoke of moderation in reconstructing the South and building a harmonious Union. On April 14, five days after the war ended, he was shot by J. W. Booth; he died the next day. His reputation among Amer. presidents remains unsurpassed.