On August 4, 1834, at the age of 25, Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Illinois State Legislature. This was two years after he ran the first time – and lost.
After failing at his first attempt at political office, Lincoln fell into co-ownership of the store that would later wink out. When the election of 1834 came around, he again ran for the state legislature. This time he took advantage of the wanderings facilitated by his postmaster and surveying duties to meet as many voters in the county as possible. His Black Hawk War service had also given him important contacts, including leading attorneys John Todd Stuart, John Hardin, Edward Baker, and Joseph Gillespie.
Once again, Lincoln supported the Whig position of internal improvements, a strong central bank, protective tariffs, and readily available public education. He favored construction of a canal between Beardstown and the Sangamon River, which would improve health conditions by eliminating stagnant pools and create a way for New Salem–area farmers to transport produce to the Illinois River, their primary route to eastern and southern markets. Mostly, however, Lincoln focused on making himself better known in the county.
On one occasion, in Island Grove, Lincoln came upon a group of men harvesting crops. They told him he would gain their support if he helped with their work. “Well, boys,” Lincoln said, “if that is all then I am assured of your votes…” He then picked up some tools, and jumped in to help for several hours. He got their votes.
Lincoln was in his element, touring on horseback the farms spread around the county, telling humorous stories and chatting about the farmer’s hopes and dreams, crops and planting practices, and the schools their children attended. Because of his own experience on farms he could ingratiate himself with all manner of potential voters, from rich to poor. He also had an affinity for children, often picking them up and telling jokes to keep them happy while he conversed with everyone in the family. All of this retail campaigning worked in his favor; Lincoln won 1,375 votes, the second-highest total of any of the candidates. Fellow canvasser and Black Hawk War Major John T. Stuart also won a seat. Lincoln was reelected in 1836, 1838, and 1840, serving eight years in the legislature over four terms. He later noted that “members of the legislature got four dollars a day, and four dollars a day was more than I had ever earned in my life.” He was about to become one of the leading Whigs in the state of Illinois.
[Adapted from Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America]
David J. Kent is an avid science traveler and the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, in Barnes and Noble stores now. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.
Check out my Goodreads author page. While you’re at it, “Like” my Facebook author page for more updates!
