Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-02-05


made the life Of Abraham Lincoln a study look
upon the birthday anniv ersary as something
more than the mere passing of milestone.
Historians say that Lincoln was born in Hardin
county, Kentucky. In fact he was born in La
Rue county which however is d subdivision of
Hardin county. ChrOnclers continue with their
biographies and say that he together with his
Iather. mother and sister. went to Indiana and
entered claim to a piece of land in Spencer
county. As a matter of fact, he entered claim to
2 piece Of land in Warrick county, but which has
since been set aside and named Spencer county.
The Iincolns went to Indiana in 1876 the same
gear that Indiana admitted to the Union as
a state. He entered a quarter section of land
built a log cabin and lived there until 1880
II was known that Thomas Lincoln, father of
Abraham Lincoln, in poor circumstances. TO
say that Abraham Lincoln the Of a poor
carpenter and farmer gives an insight to the
hard conditions that little Abe had to face when
ne was youngster. When he went to indiana
ne was Just seven, and, remaining in Indiana until
1890, he spent il years of his life in Indiana or
antil ne was twenty-one years of age.
1t is useless TO relate the idle tales of his boy
hood but when he verged into manhood al d i'm
hibed into his character those qualities and those
traits that led up to his greatness this part of his
life IS interesting. 1t is well understood that if
Lincoln had done other boys of his day he
would have achieved only small things. But he
did not do as the Young men and boys Of his day,
and the ways OF his early manhood are still inter
tStiug TO young America who strive for success
and do things
Lincoln saw hardships. had meager clothing.
coarse food and no advantages of securing an ed
ucation. All who knew him agreed that he was
unlike other boys. He was not fully understood
doubtless holding his real character or disposition
IN reserve for his intimate friends only. He was
not fond OF work but whether from sheer Iazi-
ness or because he fonder of mental exercise
in reading or otherwise is not clear. He enjoyed
hooks and Is known to have borrowed much of the
reading matter Of his neighborhood.
After 1920 Spencer county had, at Rockport its
county seat, public library OF several hundred
volumns of the standard works of that day.
Thomas Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln were at
Roekport at least two times during the year but
the name OF Abraham Lincoln does not appear as
a borrower of books at the library. The field
from which Abraham Lincoln could CLEAN knowl-
'dge in, that neghborhood was very limited
though he borrowed every book that he could get
The list is short one, and the following includes
most of them: Robinson Crusoe." -Aesops Fa.
bles,' Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress" Weems'
Life OF Washington and history of the United
States.
During Abraham Lincoln's lG years of life in
Indiana he had read and reread this list of liter
airy and historical books over and over again. His
good nature among Lincoln City people was not
unnotced; all agreed to his honesty and good ma
ture. Questions Of dispute and petty differences
were at first submitted to him in Joking way
and later in sincere way, until he was compli-