Children's Books

[Gene C]

The Boy Lincoln by William Stoddard

This book was written by one of Lincoln's private secretary's. Stoddard also handled most of Mrs. Lincoln's mail. Stoddard would later wrote over 100 books, most of them for boys.

This one, published in 1905 with 240+ pages. It is not a history or work of non-fiction of Lincoln's life in Indiana, it is a story, and Stoddard is a good story teller.
This starts at the death of Nancy Lincoln, when Abraham's father, Thomas, leaves Abraham, Sarah and Dennis alone in their cabin in the woods, going to convince Sara Bush Johnson to be his new wife and mother for his children.

In between, Stoddard paints a realistic picture of life on a small farm. The hard work, Lincoln working for neighbors to help the family financially, his desire to read and learn, are all described.

The story ends with Lincoln as an older teenager carrying a traveler across the Ohio River who leaves him with these words of encouragement,
"Abe", said the former, handing him a silver dollar, "take that for yourself: I have paid Mr. Taylor. Now, I'll tell you one thing for you to remember: You are fit for something better than rowing a scow. God has put a great deal of brains into your head, You must learn to use them. It is remarkable that you have read so many books, away out here in the wilderness. Go on! Read, read, read! Make the most of your self. Be a man! This country of ours is dreadfully short of men. Good bye."
He was gone, baggage and all, and Abe stood still, looking after him.
"I didn't even get his name", he said to himself.

This is an enjoyable book to read, but it is a book written more for young people than adults.
I purchased my 100 + year old copy online from Books On The Square, in Springfield, IL - https://www.booksonthesquare.com/

Reprints are available from Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/053079...=pd_gw_unk

The book is also available on Interenet Archive.
https://archive.org/details/boylincol00s...7/mode/2up