Abraham Lincoln, one of the most iconic figures in American history, was born on Sunday, February 12, 1809. His birthplace was a simple log cabin on his father’s Sinking Spring Farm, nestled in Hardin County, Kentucky – an area that is now known as LaRue County. His parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, welcomed him into the world in this modest setting. Abraham was the second child, joining his older sister, Sarah, in the growing Lincoln family.
The early years of Lincoln’s life were rooted in the Kentucky landscape. When Abraham was just two years old, in 1811, the family relocated to Knob Creek Farm. This new home, only ten miles from Sinking Spring Farm, became a formative environment where Abraham spent the next five years of his childhood. These Kentucky farms, though simple, were the backdrop to his earliest experiences and development.
In 1816, a significant change occurred for the Lincoln family. Driven by land disputes and economic opportunities, Thomas Lincoln decided to move his family north across the Ohio River. At the age of seven, Abraham moved with his parents to Perry County in Southern Indiana (later becoming part of Spencer County). Here, Thomas Lincoln purchased land directly from the federal government, marking a new chapter for the family. As Lincoln himself later described, his life in Indiana was characterized by being “raised to farm work,” emphasizing the hard labor and rural lifestyle of his upbringing.
Tragedy struck the Lincoln family in Indiana. In 1818, Abraham’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, passed away on October 5th. Years later, in January 1828, his sister Sarah also died during childbirth, further shaping young Abraham’s life with loss and resilience. Despite these hardships, Lincoln’s time in Indiana also marked his first documented journey beyond his immediate surroundings. He traveled via flatboat to New Orleans, transporting produce and experiencing firsthand the harsh realities of a slave auction, an event that profoundly impacted his later views on slavery.
By March 1830, as Abraham Lincoln reached the age of 21, the family embarked on another migration, this time to Logan County, Illinois. This move included his father, stepmother (Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln), and her children. However, the harsh winter of 1830-31 proved challenging, leading the family to reconsider their plans. While the rest of the family initially intended to return to Indiana, they ultimately settled in Coles County, Illinois. It was in Coles County that Abraham’s father and stepmother spent the remainder of their lives.
For Abraham, the spring of 1831 marked a turning point. He decided to leave his family and forge his own path. He once again found work on a flatboat, journeying to New Orleans with goods for trade. Upon his return to Illinois from this successful venture, he established himself in the small village of New Salem. In New Salem, Lincoln pursued various occupations with mixed results. He entered into a partnership in a general store, which unfortunately failed. He also served in the militia during the Black Hawk War and held the position of Postmaster. Expanding his skills, he learned surveying and even briefly considered becoming a blacksmith.
Lincoln’s ambitions extended beyond these trades. In 1832, he ran for a seat in the state legislature but was unsuccessful in his first attempt. Undeterred, he ran again two years later in 1834 and won. He was re-elected in 1836, demonstrating his growing political appeal. During his 1834 campaign, he was encouraged to study law by John T. Stuart, setting him on a new intellectual and professional course. By March 1837, Lincoln was officially enrolled as an attorney, and the following month, he moved to Springfield, Illinois, to begin his legal career.
Springfield became a pivotal location in Lincoln’s life. It was here that he built his legal practice, engaged in state and national politics, and formed relationships that would shape his future. He met and married Mary Todd in November 1842, and together they established their family home at the corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets in 1844. This house was the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned. In Springfield, they welcomed four sons: Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas. Sadly, Edward passed away at a young age in their Springfield home.
Springfield remained Lincoln’s home until his election as the sixteenth President of the United States in 1860. On February 11, 1861, he bid farewell to Springfield, embarking on his historic journey to Washington, D.C. His poignant departure speech at the train depot reflected the deep connection he felt to the community where he had spent nearly 25 years. Leaving Springfield, Lincoln faced the immense challenges of the presidency and the looming Civil War, a far cry from the humble log cabin where his life began in Kentucky. His Kentucky birthplace, though simple, serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary journey of Abraham Lincoln, from a frontier upbringing to the highest office in the nation.
