Lincoln's Postmaster Career

[RJNorton]

"But he (Lincoln) was looking for a chance to become something more than a laborer; and on May 7, 1833, his ambition was gratified to some extent when he was appointed postmaster at New Salem, succeeding Samuel Hill. His explanation of his securing the position under President Jackson when he was "an avowed Clay man," was that the office was "too insignificant to make his politics an objection." He retained the position until the removal of the office to Petersburg on May 30, 1836."

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln2/05...w=fulltext