Abraham Lincoln was born in a little one room log cabin on a cold February night in 1809. His mother labored alone, save for her husband; Thomas Lincoln and her daughter Sarah. The young Lincoln family resided in Hardin County, Kentucky. Their life was hardscrabble and existence on the frontier very hard. Each day, water had to be gathered, bedding repaired, food cooked and the small garden attended to. Thomas, would no doubt have hunted for what he could find and Nancy put each item together with as much vigor as she could muster. Abraham and his sister were sent to the ABC School, led by Zachariah Riney. Lincoln admits his early education was minimal, but for the period and the place it was average. It was important to know how to read, in order to do business and write for the very same reason. So, a minimal education that focused on primary reading skills was all that was necessary.
Young Abraham, his mother, father and sister moved across the Ohio river in 1816. The family was in a dispute over their rightful claim to the Kentucky property, so they moved to Spencer Country, IN. Abraham was only eight when he moved.Their new home was a wilderness, that the entire family had to clear. Abraham even admitted that he too, though very young, wielded an ax to help his father. Little Abraham even shot a turkey through a crack in the family’s newly built log cabin. Hi mother, Nancy died in 1818, from milk sickness, possibly due to the birth of Abraham’s brother who died in infancy. Sarah, took charge of her brother as well as she could. But in 1819, Thomas married Mrs. Sally Johnston ,a widow with three children of her own. Lincoln had a great affection for his new mother, and she in turn for him. He attested that the remainder of his education was self-guided.
The Lincoln/Johnston family relocated to Macon County, Illinois in 1830. They moved in a wagon led with oxen. Macon County was temporary and in the same year they continued until they reached Coles County, Illinois. The family built another log cabin there. At the same time, Abraham decided to leave home, and along with his step brothers went to New Salem, Illinois. There they were hired to transport goods on a flatboat, down to New Orleans. After one trip to New Orleans, Lincoln turned back to New Salem and never returned to that city. He began a business partnership with his former employer Denton Offit. Lincoln eventually sold his share.
In 1832, the Black Hawk War began and Lincoln was elected Captain of the Militia. The war erupted between the Native Americans and settlers. It did not last long and soon, Lincoln was again back to New Salem. He began to meddle in politics. In 1832 he stood for a seat on the Illinois General Assembly. He was not elected the first time, due to his lack of education and powerful political connections. But, his determination led to his election in 1834 to the Illinois General Assembly. His next goal was to study for the bar and in 1836 he was admitted. Lincoln served eight years in the legislature. His early career were filled with the experiences that led him to be one of the most powerful presidents the United States has ever seen. It all started in a one room cabin on a February day.