The uniqueness of Lincoln's beard

[Eva Elisabeth]

His beard is ok with me!

While I prefer beardlessness, too (for most men, including Lincoln), I agree. It's ok with me. Also we don't know what look the toll of war would have made out of his shaved face. And he would have looked worse with a moustache IMO. And I like the photo Roger posted.
I think in that era a beard symbolized also some riper/wiser age and dignity and was proper for office holders and scientists of a certain age?
Did Mary ever comment (- I can't recall)?