Abraham Lincoln example essay topic

300 words
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest men in American history. Even though he came from humble origins, he rose to the highest office in the land. A strong believer in democracy, the sixteenth president led the United States during the Civil War. He helped end slavery and worked to keep the American Union together.

Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, parents of Abraham Lincoln, were married in 1806. On February 12, 1809 Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky. He was named after his pioneer grandfather who had been killed by Indians in 1786. While growing up, he lived in a log cabin and worked on the family farm, splitting rails for fences as well as other various chores. At the age of ten, Abraham's mother died from a disease known as "milk-sick". Later, in the early winter of 1819, Lincoln's father remarried to Sarah Bush Johnston.

Abraham's stepmother and her three small children moved into the Lincoln's log cabin. Later on, Abraham Lincoln would refer to his stepmother as "my angel mother". (Thomas, 1952) When Abraham Lincoln's father felt he was no longer needed around the farm for chores, Abraham walked two miles to a log schoolhouse. Zachariah Riley, and Caleb Hazel were two of his first teachers. He only attended school for less than a year in all.

As a teenager, Lincoln had a reputation as a smart and easy-going boy. He was tall and thin with a dark complexion and coarse black hair. Abraham was not a very attractive individual, but he was very lean and muscular. A few years later Abraham moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he worked numerous jobs and earned the nickname "Honest Abe.".