Abraham Lincoln: Biography - Chapter 2

In 1816 the family moved to the forests of Indiana. They settled in the Pigeon Creek district that would later be called Spencer County. His first winter was spent in a shabby shack but before the coming of the next winter Thomas had built a much more cozy wooden cabin. Betsy and Thomas Sparrow, the adoptive parents of Abraham's mother and his brother Dennis Hanks, went to live with them. They all ate what the land offered them and ate fruits, berries and wild animals that they hunted but very soon what the colonists called the Milk Sickness appeared.

Betsy and Thomas Sparrow died, shortly after the mother of Abraham, who had taken care of the sick also died. In the same way that the first adolescence of Abraham evokes the classic experiences of the inhabitants of the Midwest, the life of his mother unfortunately recalls that of many pioneering women in America. Thomas Lincoln married Sara Johnston who, having three children, increased the number of people living in the home to 9.

Abraham adapted well to his new family and became a quiet and reserved young man who did his part of the hard work either on the family farm or on the neighboring farms. Despite his lack of conventional schooling and encouraged by his stepmother, Abraham continued with his education walking several kilometers on foot each day to attend classes taught by some teachers.

Avoiding attendance at the church and religious services of the time, he devoted his leisure time to reading: the bible, diverse biographies, poetry books, fiction novels such as Robinson Crusoe or Aesop's Fables made him a self-taught during this period.

To be continued in next chapter. Stay tuned Steemians!

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