Tribute

[RJNorton]

Gene and David, is it at all possible that a marriage to Ann Rutledge might not have deterred Lincoln, and his political and legal careers would have turned out essentially the same? I am not really in disagreement with what you gentlemen say; I am just suggesting the possibility, although my tendency is to agree with you.

Lincoln boarded with the Rutledges in 1832, and he certainly got to know her at that time. I cannot say when his feelings for her developed, but can we say by 1833? Anyway, this did not deter him from politics as on August 4th, 1834, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois General Assembly. It was almost four months before the General Assembly convened, and during these months Lincoln seriously took up the study of law. So his goal of becoming a politician and lawyer was not deterred by his feelings for Ann. She died in 1835, and in 1836 he again ran and was elected to the General Assembly. I believe I read somewhere that she was planning on going to school in Jacksonville so she could become the educated wife of a lawyer/politician. Is it at all possible she could have encouraged and supported him just as Mary did?