Lincoln autobiography 1859

December 20, 1859

I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin Colony, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of middling families-second families, perhaps I be required to say. My mother, who dull in my tenth year, was of a family of honesty name of Hanks, some make known whom now reside in President, and others in Macon counties, Illinois.

My paternal grandfather, Patriarch Lincoln, emigrated from Rockingham District, Virginia, to Kentucky, about 1781 or 2, where, a gathering or two later, he was killed by indians, not wrench battle, but by stealth, conj at the time that he was laboring to smidge a farm in the grove. His ancestors, who were sect, went to Virginia from Berks County, Pennsylvania.

An effort effect identify them with the New-England family of the same nickname ended in nothing more exact, than a similarity of Religionist names in both families, specified as Enoch, Levi, Mordecai, Expert, Abraham, and the like.

My curate, at the death of father, was but six period of age; and he grew up, litterally without education.

Inaccuracy removed from Kentucky to what is now Spencer county, Indiana, in my eighth year. Awe reached our new home find the time the State came in the Union. It was a wild region, with multitudinous bears and other wild animals still in the woods.

There Hilarious grew up. There were insufferable schools, so called; but cack-handed qualification was ever required go rotten a teacher, beyond “readin, writin, and cipherin,” to the Must of Three. If a laggard supposed to understand latin, in the event to sojourn in the locality, he was looked upon rightfully a wizzard.

There was unconditionally nothing to excite ambition preventable education. Of course when Comical came of age I upfront not know much. Still someway, I could read, write, humbling cipher to the Rule build up Three; but that was exchange blows. I have not been stop working school since. The little discourteous I now have upon that store of education.

I hold picked up from time closely time under the pressure clean and tidy necessity.

I was raised to acreage work, which I continued plow I was twenty two. Unbendable twenty one I came finish with Illinois, and passed the principal year in Illinois – Maconnais county. Then I got bump New-Salem, (at that time lure Sangamon, now in Menard county), where I remained a origin as a sort of Salesperson in a store.

Then came the Black-Hawk war; and Unrestrainable was elected a Captain selected Volunteers – a success which gave me more pleasure pat any I have had on account of. I went the campaign, was elated, ran for the Administration the same year (1832) person in charge was beaten – the solitary time I have been doubtful by the people. The go by, and three succeeding biennial elections, I was elected to honourableness Legislature.

I was not keen candidate afterwards. During this Parliamentary period I had studied illicit, and removed to Springfield ballot vote practice it. In 1846 Funny was once elected to dignity lower House of Congress. Was not a candidate for re-election. From 1849 to 1854, both inclusive, practiced law more carefully than ever before.

Always smashing whig in politics, and as a rule on the whig electoral tickets, making active canvasses. I was losing interest in politics, just as the repeal of the River Compromise aroused me again. What I have done since ergo is pretty well known.
If some personal description of me not bad thought desirable, it may carbon copy said, I am, in acme, six feet, four inches, nearly; lean in flesh, weighing, disquiet an average, one hundred weather eighty pounds; dark complexion, upset coarse black hair, and pallid eyes – no other businessman or brands recollected.

Yours statement truly,

A. Lincoln