The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1860-06-01
"HOnest Old Abe
ThePeOPIe's Candidate for Pres.
tdemt.

tdent.
We condeDse, somewhat, the extend
ed biographical sketch Of the Chicago
Press and Tribune, of ABRAHAM LIN
COLIN, the Republican candidate for Pres
ident:
Hewas born on the 18th day Of Fcbru-
ary, 1908, in Hardin Co., Ky. His pa
rents were both from Virginia, and were
certainly not Of the first families. His
paternal grandfather, Abraham Lincoln,
emigrated from Rockingham county,
Virginis, to Kentucky, about 1881 or 'S2,
where year or two later he was killed
by Indians, not in battle, but by stealth,
while he was luboring to open farm in
the forest, His ancestors, who were re-
spectacle members Of the Society of
Friends, went to Virginia from Berks
county, Pennsylvania. Descendants Of
the same stock still reside in the eastern
part Of that State.
Mr.. Lincoln's father, at the death Of
his father, was but six years Of age, and
he grew up literally without education.
He removed from Kentucky TO what is
now Spencer county, Indiana, in 1916.
The family reached their new home
about the time the State was admitted
into the Union. The region in which
they settled was rude and wild, and they
endured, for some years, the hard expe-
rience Of frontier life, in which the
struggle with nature for existence and
security is to be maintained only by con-
stant vigilance.
Hard work and plenty of IL was the
order Of the day, varied, indeed, by an
occasional bear hunt, a not unfrequent
deer chase, or other wild sport. Ofcourso
when young Lincoln came of age he was
not a scholar. He could read and write,
and had some knowledge of arithmetic,
but that was about all; and as yet, he had
but little ambition TO know more ofwhat
was found in books. His attainments
otherwise were not to be dispised. He
had grown 10 be six feet four inches in
stature, was active and athletic, could
WELD the ak, direct the plow, or use the
rifle, as well as the best of his compeers,
and was fully up to all the mysteries Of
prairie farming, and fully Injured to hard
ship and toll. Since he arrived at age he
has not been to school.
At twenty-One he removed TO Illinois,
and passed the first year in Macon coun-
ty, in active labor on farm, where he
and a fellow laborer, (named Hanks }
SPLIT THREE THOUSAND RAILS,
in the year 1880. 1t will be interesting
to the millions before whom he is now
placed as a candidate for the highest of
fee in the gift Of free people, to know
that he once managed fdiboat on the
Ohio river. The anecdotes which he
sometimes relates to his friends Of his
maritime experiences before the intro
duction Of steum on the Western rivers,
are indescribably lOughable. From Ma
con county he went to New Salem, in
what is now Menard county, where he
remained about year. Then came the
Black Hawk war. A company Of volun
teers was raised in New Salem and the
surrounding country, and young Lincoln
was elected captain success which, he
has since said gave him more pleasure
than he has ever since enjoyed. He serv
ed with credit during the campaign, and
became popular. Returning 70 SRngam.
on county, he learned the art of survey.
ing, and prosecuted that profession until
the financial crash of 1897 destroyed the
value Of real estate and ruined the bust.
ness--the result of which was thatyOung
Lincoln's surveying apeFatus was sold on
execution by the sheriff. Nothing daunt.
ed by this turn i'll luck, he directed his
attention to the law, and borrowing Q
few books from a neighbor, which be
took from the Office In the evening and
returned in the morning, he learned the
rudiments Of the profession in which he
has become 50 distinguished, By Ae hgAi
Of a fireplace.
About this time the Wings Of his coun.
ty conferred upon him a nomination for
the Legislature. He was successful in
this and three succeeding elections, by tri.
umphant maioFities. While member oi
the Legislature he first give indications oi
his superior powers as a debater, and be
increased, by frequent practice, his natu-
raj faculty for public speaking.
During his legislative period he con-
tinued his law studies, and removing 70
Springfield, he opened an office and en-
gagged actively In practice, Business
flowed in upon him, and he rose rapidly
to distinction in his profession. He dis.
played remarkable ability az an advocate
In iury trials, end many Of bis law argu-
ments were masterpieces Of logical rea-
soning. There was no refined artificial
ity On his forensic efforts. They all bore
the stamp ofmasculine common sense;
and he had q natural gl3y mode Of illus
tration that made thetmost abtuse sub
jects appear plain. His success at the
bar, however, did not withdraw his at
tsntioD from politics. For many years
he was the "whsel-horsen OF the Whia
party Of Illinois, and was on the electoral
ticket In several Presidential campaigns.
At such times he cHnvassed the State
with his usual Vigor and ability.
In 1886 he was elected 70 Congress
and served out his term, and would have
been reelected had he not declined to be
candidate. He steadily and earnestly
opposed the annexation Of Texas, ans
labored with Sll his powers In behalf o.
the Wiimot Proviso.
From l849 TO 1854 Mr.. lincoln wal
engaged assidiously in the practice ofhii
profession, and being deeply immerseS
! l.. ..aaa. 81. I.an Ia.