Transition to the Presidency After Mr. Lincoln received the Republican presidential nomination in May 1860, he engaged in a long period of watchful waiting that lasted through his election and until he left… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

George Ashmun (1804-1870) Ashmun performed many useful services for President Lincoln but claimed never to have sought a patronage position in his government. He was, however, detailed on a special assignment to… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Horace White (1834-1916) White recalled his first view of Mr. Lincoln: “It was a warmish day in early October, and Mr. Lincoln was in his shirt sleeves when he stepped on the platform. I observed that, although awkward, he was not…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Physical Courage Historian Douglas L. Wilson observed that Mr. Lincoln’s priorities underwent a change: “After proving himself a formidable fighter, in a place where fighting was commonplace and nearly unavoidable, he opted for the…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Friends Divided by Politics Mr. Lincoln heard and read reports in 1858 that Republican Congressman Elihu Washburne was pushing Illinois Republicans to back Senator Douglas for reelection. Lincoln sent Washburne a veiled warning; he wrote… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Eliza Rumsey Francis (1793-1893) Eliza Francis was the sort of mother-figure who seemed to play a prominent role in Mr. Lincoln’s social cultivation in the decade leading up to his marriage in 1842. She played a critical role in… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Anne Rutledge (1813-1835) One of the attractions of Anne Rutledge for Mr. Lincoln was her interest in education. Mentor Graham was a New Salem resident who took a role in tutoring both Anne Rutledge and… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Mrs. Eliza Caldwell Browning Mr. Lincoln had a clear comfort level with Eliza Browning that dated back to 1836 She played a special place in Mr. Lincoln’s early adulthood – as a representative of a higher social class with whom he could… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Hannah Armstrong (1811-1890) After Mr. Lincoln completed his first surveying job in 1834, Hannah turned the two buckskins that he received as payment into pantaloons for use in his work. Hannah was the wife of… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Mrs. Elizabeth Abell Mr. Lincoln had boarded with Bowling Green while building his flatboat for Dennis Offutt. Since Green lived near the Abell farm, Mr. Lincoln came to know Mrs. Elizabeth Abell. When he started… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >