Abraham Lincoln was not only one of the most influential and inspiring leaders of America but of the whole world. Born in a simple wooden house in the state of Kentucky, Lincoln studied by himself, learned law despite limited resources, and eventually became the 16th President of the United States. Under his leadership, America faced a big challenge like the Civil War, and a historic step was taken toward ending slavery. His thoughts, speeches, and decisions are still considered great examples of democracy, equality, and humanity.
Through this article, we will introduce you to 10 lesser-known but very inspiring facts related to the Abraham Lincoln early life. Also, it tells how a poor farmer’s son, raised in simple conditions, became the President of America and how he ended an inhuman system like slavery.
1. Belonged to a Poor Farmer Family
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in Kentucky, USA, into a very poor family. His father, Thomas Lincoln, worked as a farmer and a carpenter, and his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, was a simple housewife. When Lincoln was only seven years old, in 1816, his family left Kentucky and settled in southern Indiana. Their financial condition was so bad that they didn’t even have a proper house to live in, and education was a far-off dream. But Lincoln had a strong desire to study since childhood, so he used to borrow books from others and study them. He spent less than a year in the classroom, yet he was determined to learn.
2. Lost His Mother at the Age of 9, Stepmother Became His Guide
When Lincoln was just 9 years old, his real mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, passed away. The responsibility of the house fell on his 11-year-old sister Sarah. But some time later, his father married again, and this brought a big change in Lincoln’s life. His stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnson, who already had three children of her own, gave Abraham even more love than a real mother. She not only loved him deeply but also supported his education and boosted his confidence. Sarah also loved books and always encouraged Lincoln to read. She created an environment at home where learning and building good character were given importance. Lincoln himself had great respect and love for his stepmother. Once, he said, “Whatever I am today, it is because of my mother — my stepmother.” Just imagine, if Sarah had not come into his life at that time, maybe we wouldn’t know Abraham Lincoln the way we do today. This teaches us a big lesson — that relationships are built not by blood, but by values and love.
3. Braving the Frozen River to Reach Books: A Deep Love for Learning
Abraham Lincoln never had formal education, but through his own hard work, he studied law and became a lawyer. And all this happened without attending any college! Let me tell you an incident from his life — in a nearby village, across a river, lived a retired judge who had a great collection of legal books. When Lincoln found out about this, without hesitation, he crossed the icy river and reached the judge’s house. There, with great humility, he asked the judge, “Can I read your books?” The judge was surprised to see his passion. But he set a condition: “If you can do small chores around my house, like chopping wood, fetching water, cleaning, then I will let you read the books.” For Lincoln, this was no less than a reward! He happily did every task and did not miss a single chance to read. This is not just a story, but an example of true dedication and strong will, which shows that if there is passion in the heart to achieve something, then the paths automatically open.
4. Learned the Meaning of Self-Reliance by Becoming a Carpenter and Boatman
Have you ever thought that a person who became the President of America was once a carpenter and a boatman? Yes, Abraham Lincoln started his life as a simple hardworking man. When his family was very poor, Lincoln built his own boat and started carrying goods on the nearby river. This not only helped him earn his living but also taught him the true meaning of self-reliance. Imagine, a teenage boy who worked all day in the fields, studied books at night, and then early in the morning went on the boat carrying goods—this was not an ordinary person. He had learned carpentry work in childhood, and that skill became the base of his confidence.
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These small jobs connected him to the realities of life. He understood the pain, hard work, and struggles of common people. Maybe this is why, when he later became a lawyer and then president, he honestly understood the feelings of poor and common citizens and worked to give them justice.
Abraham Lincoln’s time in these jobs teaches us that no work is small, and if the intentions are strong, even a carpenter can become the greatest leader in the world.
5. First Love and Depression: Heartbroken by Anne Rutledge’s Death
At the age of 24, Abraham fell in true love with a girl named Anne Rutledge. She was a beautiful, wise, and cultured girl, whom Lincoln loved deeply. Their friendship slowly turned into a deep relationship. It is believed that Lincoln wanted to marry her and held her in great respect. But maybe fate had other plans. Anne died young due to a serious illness. From that moment, Lincoln’s world changed completely. He was broken… completely alone inside. He would sit silently for hours near her grave and cry. This deep emotional shock pushed him into severe depression. His condition got so bad that he started keeping knives and sharp things away from himself because he feared he might harm himself. Despite this emotional breakdown, he pulled himself together. Friends, especially his close friend Bowling Green, supported him and tried their best to bring him out of depression. This painful experience made Lincoln a stronger and more compassionate leader—one who could understand the pain of others.
6. Early signs of becoming a speaker
Abraham Lincoln had an amazing gift for speaking even as a child. When he was young, small meetings often happened in his village. Sometimes they talked about farming, sometimes about social issues. And there, little Lincoln would stand confidently and speak in front of people without hesitation. At first, people were surprised—how could such a small boy talk about such serious and thoughtful things? But Lincoln’s confidence and way of speaking made people start listening carefully. Not only that, he began speaking about big issues like “justice” and “equality” at a very young age. It is said that when the village elders made unfair or biased decisions, Lincoln would calmly ask, “Is it right to look down on someone just because of their color or caste?” Imagine, at a time when the whole society was filled with slavery and discrimination, a child openly said these things! All this shows that Lincoln was not just intelligent but had natural leadership and the power to bring change from childhood. He gained knowledge not just from books but also by watching people around him and talking openly about what he saw. And maybe these were the seeds that later grew into a great president, social reformer, and inspiring speaker.
7. Repeated election defeats, but never stopped trying
When Abraham Lincoln entered politics, he faced failure many times. He lost many elections but never let defeat become his destination. He always said, “My day will come,” and with this belief, he stood stronger every time. Finally, his hard work paid off, and at the age of 23, he was elected to the Illinois state legislature. What was special was that his speeches were not just words; they touched people’s hearts and gave voice to their pain. Slowly, people admired his way of thinking and honesty. Lincoln was no longer just an ordinary leader; he had become a public leader who fought for truth, justice, and equality. His words connected with people of all classes, ages, and backgrounds. And maybe this is why, in the end, that determined man became the President of America.
8. An honest lawyer – humanity above money
Abraham Lincoln was not just a leader or president; he was an example of honesty. He never took on false cases, and most importantly, never charged poor people any fees. For him, humanity was more important than money. Once, after one of his lawyer colleagues won a case for a mentally weak woman, that colleague charged the woman’s brother full fees. When Lincoln found out, he immediately said, “I would rather stay hungry than take such money.” He made sure his entire share was returned. Think about it—this was a man who himself faced financial difficulties, rose from poverty to achieve every milestone, yet his morals never wavered. Lincoln believed that the job of law was not just to earn money but to deliver justice. He never took a false case from a rich person and never took a single penny from a poor person. This honesty won him a place in the hearts of common people and later helped him become America’s most trusted president.
9. Death of three children, but still firm for the nation
Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd had four sons, but unfortunately, only Robert Todd Lincoln lived to grow up. The other three children died at a young age. Imagine how big a personal loss this was for a father, yet Lincoln never broke down. He did not let his grief come in the way of his duty. When the whole country was struggling through the terrible situation of the Civil War, in 1860 he became the 16th President of America. After becoming president, his biggest mission was to end slavery and keep America united. On one side, so much pain in his personal life, and on the other, the crisis of a civil war in the country—but Lincoln did not give up. With his strong determination, he not only saved America from the Civil War but also took historic steps toward ending slavery. Such leaders are truly rare—who leave their personal pain behind and dedicate their life to shaping the future of the entire nation.
10. Abraham Lincoln’s martyrdom: The immortal legacy of a great leader
Abraham Lincoln died on April 14, 1865. This day is considered one of the worst days in American history. That night, Lincoln went to watch a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Everything was normal, but no one knew that this play would be his last show. John Wilkes Booth, a radical actor, quietly went to the box and shot him from behind. The bullet hit his head directly. The next morning, April 15, Lincoln said goodbye to the world forever. But the surprising thing is that Lincoln’s death did not end him; instead, it made him immortal. Even today, when we talk about struggles, his name comes first. He taught us that no matter how many difficulties there are, if the determination is strong, no path is closed. His dream was an America where everyone gets equal rights. And to fulfill that dream, he risked his life. Even today, in every street, every book, and every citizen’s heart in America, Lincoln lives because true great people don’t just leave; they leave behind an idea, a legacy.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln’s early life was full of hardships and struggles, but these struggles shaped him into a determined and great leader. Despite poverty, lost family happiness, and limited resources, he never gave up. Through his hard work, self-discipline, and eagerness to learn, he rose from an ordinary boy to the most influential president of America. Lincoln’s story teaches us that no matter how big the difficulties are, if our determination is strong and we keep trying, even the impossible becomes possible. This chapter of his life is a source of inspiration for every person who wishes to fulfill their dreams, no matter how challenging the beginning is.