Who is this person?

[Steve]

Here's another link about the brothers performance before Lincoln:

http://www.themagicdetective.com/2011/08...art-3.html

[RJNorton]

These people are two sons of a man we have mentioned on the forum. Who is the father?

[Gene C]

Are they friends of Tad and Willie?
Bud and Holly Taft?
The father would be Horatio Nelson Taft, who worked in the Patent Office during the Civil War

[RJNorton]

Good thinking, Gene, but they are not Horatio Nelson Taft's sons.

[RJNorton]

Hint #1: The correct answer to this question is not an obscure name; it's a familiar name to all folks on the forum.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Is it William Seward?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Susan, but these folks are not the sons of William Seward.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Someone who had already been "present" in pre-presidental days?
Herndon? Speed?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Eva, but it is not either of them. Yes, Lincoln knew this person during his pre-Presidential years.

[Anita]

Here's another link about the brothers performance before Lincoln:

http://www.themagicdetective.com/2011/08...art-3.html

Great site Steve. Thanks. We often focus on actors and musicians touring the US in Lincoln's time but there were all sorts of entertainers. I was fortunate to be invited to The Magic Castle in Hollywood, a private club for magicians and magic fans. Wonderful experience.

[RJNorton]

Hint #2: He once did a favor for Lincoln. The brief story of the favor is in numerous books.

[Gene C]

John Roll ?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Gene, but it's not John Roll.

[Thomas Kearney]

Jack Armstrong? Sorry I haven't been on for a while. I moved to Kalamazoo, MI to complete my education at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and plan on moving back to Washington after I receive my degree. The only con about Michigan (besides the Winters) is I'm 2 hours from the nearest race track.

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Thomas, but it is not Jack Armstrong.