Lincoln Administrations - Family Life
Family Life
Taller than average, muscular, and self-conscious, Lincoln was reportedly uncomfortable around women his own age. In 1831 Lincoln met the daughter of tavern keeper James Rutledge in New Salem, Illinois; her name was Ann Rutledge. Lincoln continued an on-again and off-again relationship with her until her death on August 25, 1835, probably from typhoid fever. In late 1836 Lincoln started a courtship with 28-year-old Mary Owens who was visiting her sister at New Salem, Illinois, at the time. Lincoln proposed to her in 1837, but she rejected his offer in August of that year and the courtship ended.
In 1839 Lincoln met Mary Todd, the daughter of a prominent Kentucky Whig banker and the cousin of his law partner John T. Stuart. They began a long and occasionally stormy relationship. The next year Lincoln was reelected to the Illinois legislature, and he and Mary Todd became engaged. But on January 1, 1841, Lincoln broke...
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