In the early days he lived in a log cabin on the frontier. It wasn't the prettiest home but it was a place to sleep. His cabin was eighteen by sixteen feet. At age seven Abe and his family moved to southern Indiana. Everything was great until two years after the move. Abe's mother (Nancy) died from milk sickness (1818). In 1819 his father Thomas remarried. He married Sarah Bush, she had three kids. Abe loved his new mother. Then in `1830 the Lincoln's moved to Illinois. Abe was known for his great physical strength. In 1837 he moved to New Salem Illinois. While Abe was there he worked at several jobs, like operating a store, surveying and serving as a postmaster. The people loved Abe for his character. Abe even wrestled the town bully, and that's how he got the name "honest Abe." Abe's physical description was lean and lanky. .
He was six foot four inches tall and weighed one hundred and eighty pounds. He had black hair and a dark complexion. He had deep set gray eyes with black eyebrows. Abe only received about one year of schooling. He read a lot of books by borrowing them. .
He ran for legislature in 1832. Then ran again in 1834, 1838 and 1840. He won all four times. In 1836 Lincoln became a lawyer. .
Lincoln was against the spread of slavery. He knew he couldn't outlaw it. He feared there would be too much violence from slave owners if he did. Many people urged him to free the slaves. They sent him petitions, newspaper editorials, speeches were made and many visitors came to the White House to get him to free the slaves. Finally on January 1, 1863 Lincoln signed the Emancipation Prodamation. It declared freedom for all slaves in area of the confederacy not under union control. .
Abe Lincoln met a woman named Mary Ann Todd. They were both attracted to each other and decided to get married. But Mary's family objected to the two being involved with each other. Mary's family made Abe break off the engagement.
