Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Lincoln
October 24, 2006
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

Last week, I read portions of Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation of Thanksgiving to you. In the middle of a terrible Civil War, Lincoln felt it proper to stop and give thanks to God for all that was good. By all accounts, Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents of all time. Unlike many of today's politicians however, he was not born into wealth or prominence. He was born poor and had to overcome great hardships before he found success. In fact, Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest examples of persistence there is. If you want to learn about someone who didn't quit, look no further.

Here is a summary of events in Lincoln's road to the White House:

1816 When he was just 7 years old, his family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.

1818 He was kicked in the head by a horse and for a short time was believed to be dead

1818 His mother died.

1828 His sister Sarah died while giving birth.

1831 Failed in business.

1832 Ran for state legislature - lost.

Also in 1832 lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.

1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.

1834 Ran for state legislature again - won.

1835 Was engaged to be married, but his fiance died and his heart was broken.

1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.

1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.

1840 Sought to become elector - defeated.

1843 Ran for Congress - lost.

1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.

1848 Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.

1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.

1854 Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.

1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention - get less than 100 votes.

1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.

1860 Elected president of the United States.

Thanks for listening.