Intro; Contents; Preface*; Chapter 1; The Origin of the Lincoln Family -- The Lincolns in Kentucky -- Birth of Abraham Lincoln; Chapter 2; The Lincolns Leave Kentucky for Southern Indiana -- Conditions of Life in Their New Home; Chapter 3; Abraham Lincoln's Early Opportunities -- The Books He Read-Trips to New Orleans-Impression He Made on His Friends; Chapter 4; The Lincolns Leave Indiana -- The Journey to Illinois -- Abraham Lincoln Starts Out for Himself; Chapter 5; Lincoln Secures a Position -- He Studies Grammar -- First Appearance in Politics; Chapter 6. The Black Hawk War -- Lincoln Chosen Captain of a Company -- Reenlists as an Independent Ranger -- End of the WarChapter 7; Lincoln Runs for State Assembly and Is Defeated -- Storekeeper -- Student -- Postmaster -- Surveyor; Chapter 8; Electioneering in Illinois in 1834 -- Lincoln Reads Law -- First Term as Assemblyman -- Lincoln's First Great Sorrow; Chapter 9; Lincoln Is Re-Elected to the Illinois Assembly -- His First Published Address -- Protests against Proslavery Resolutions of the Assembly; Chapter 10. Lincoln Begins to Study Law -- Mary Owens -- A Newspaper Contest -- Growth of Political InfluenceChapter 11; Lincoln's Engagement to Mary Todd -- Breaking of the Engagement -- Lincoln-Shields Duel; Chapter 12; Lincoln Becomes a Candidate for Congress and Is Defeated -- On the Stump in 1844 -- Nominated and Elected to the 30th Congress; Chapter 13; Lincoln in Washington in 1847 -- He Opposes the Mexican War -- Campaigning in New England; Chapter 14; Lincoln at Niagara -- Secures a Patent for an Invention -- Abandons Politics and Decides to Devote Himself to the Law; Chapter 15. Lincoln on the Circuit -- His Humor and Persuasiveness -- His Manner of Preparing Cases, Examining Witnesses, and Addressing JuriesChapter 16; Lincoln's Important Law Cases -- Defence of a Slave Girl -- The McCormick Case -- The Armstrong Murder Case -- The Rock Island Bridge Case; Chapter 17; Lincoln Re-Enters Politics; Chapter 18; The Lincoln-Douglas Debates; Chapter 19; Lincoln's Nomination in 1860; Chapter 20; The Campaign of 1860; Chapter 21; Mr. Lincoln as President-Elect; Index; Blank Page.