Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Final clue. Sandburg wrote the foreword to this man's book on the papers of Lincoln.

Best
Rob

David Mearns

You got it, Roger! It was David C. Mearns, who served as manuscript curator at the Library of Congress for several years. He was also one of Sandburg's closest friends.

Best
Rob

No Googling please

Clara Barton?

Good guess Roger but please try again.

Hint # 1 The White House

Rebecca Pomroy?

Good guess Roger but it's not Rebecca Pomroy. You aren't that far off in timeline.

Hint #2 White House tenure late 19th century

Hint #3 Related to a President

This is a tough one so here is Hint# 4
She was a surrogate First Lady

Grover Cleveland's sister, Rose?

Steve you are very close. This First Lady served under a President who wasn't elected in a national election.

Chester Arthur's wife?

Roger, but you're near enough!!!

Chester Arthur's wife Ellen died at age 42, January 14, 1882. Six months later Arthur was nominated as VP on the ticket with Garfield. Garfield and Arthur won the election on 2 November 1880, and assumed office on 4 March 1881. Six months later, following the death by assassination of President Garfield, Vice President Arthur assumed the presidency, sworn in at his Lexington Avenue home.
The person pictured in post #1916 is his sister Molly McElroy. When Ellen Arthur died, son Arthur and daughter, Molly were looked after by Chester's sisters. McElroy took he over supervision of her niece Nellie. Arthur, now President went a year without a First Lady.

Tenure as First Lady
41 years old
14 January 1883- 4 March 1885

Chester Arthur’s desire to have his daughter Nellie now live permanently with him in the White House was the determining factor which led to the girl’s supervisor, his sister Molly McElroy, serving as his First Lady, but tracing the progress of her presence evidences that he came to appreciate the value of a designated First Lady.
Go here to read how McElroy transitioned into the official role as First Lady and her many accomplishments. Also included, Ellen Arthur's biography. http://archive.firstladies.org/biographi...ography=22

To whom did President Lincoln address these words: "[B]efore I could have any power whatever, I had to take the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and execute the laws as I found them."

And, what were the circumstances of the statement?

No Googling, please.

Horace Greeley?