In 1806 Lincoln's father (Thomas Lincoln) married twenty-two year old Nancy Hanks.  The couple settled in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.  Abraham Lincoln was born on Feb.  12, 1809 in a one room cabin on Nolan Creek, in Kentucky.  The Lincoln's owned a series of farms.  Thomas grew barely enough food to feed his family.  Thomas made most of his living as a carpenter.  Thomas, a brother, dies in infancy ,in 1812.  When Abe was seven they decided to move out of Kentucky to Indiana.  In 1818 a disease "milk sickness" killed Nancy.  Nancy died when she was only thirty-four years old.  Lincoln's sister died at age twenty.  Abe almost died when he was ten because he got kicked by a horse.  Thomas Lincoln was now married again to Sarah Bush Johnston.       When Abe Lincoln was fourteen he took several jobs like clearing land, splitting logs for fence rails, and help running  a ferry.  In 1830 the Lincoln's moved t Illinois.  Lincoln started working in a general store, in New Salem.  In 1831 he joined a debating group and he voted for the first time.       In 1832 he volunteered to serve in the Black Hawk War.  In 1832 he also decided to run for the Illinois legislature.  He campaigned hard but lost.  But he still got 277 out 300 votes in his hometown.  In 1834 he ran for legislature again and won.       On November 4, 1842 Abe married Marry Todd.  Mary Todd was known for her fights, wild spending, and insanity, but Abe still loved her.  In 1850 he took up the occupation of law practice.  In 1851 he ran for the Illinois House of Representatives against Steven Douglas.  Douglas challenged Lincoln to a series of debates. Although Douglas won Lincoln became a national figure for accepting the challenge.

Links
 

Lincoln's Presidency

Lincoln's Assassination

Bibliography

Lincoln's Speeches

Interesting Facts About Lincoln