David Davis (1815-1886) David Davis’s influence with Mr. Lincoln was a political fact of life in Illinois. “As early as 1850, a prominent Whig in Taylorville wrote the Judge about the necessity of removing their postmaster who pretended to be…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

James C. Conkling (1816-1899) James C. Conkling wrote of the conclusion of the Illinois Legislative social season in early 1841 that Mr. Lincoln, “poor hapless simple swain who loved most true but was not loved again – I suppose he will now…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Joshua F. Speed (1814-1882) “In 1837, after his return from the legislature, Mr. Lincoln obtained a license to practice law,” recalled the man who was probably Mr. Lincoln’s closest friend, Joshua F. Speed. “He lived fourteen miles in the…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

James Short (1807-1874) “My first acquaintance with Mr Lincoln was in May or June 1831 at New Salem,” said James Short. “At that time I lived in Coxe’s Grove, on the line between Morgan and Sangamon, and on coming into New Salem at that time, Mr. Lincoln was…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

James H. Matheny (1818-1890) On the morning of his wedding on November 4, 1842, Mr. Lincoln woke up James Matheny, told him he was getting married that night, and asked him to be his best man. At the home of Ninian Edwards later that day… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

John Hanks (1802-1889) Unlike the rest of the Lincoln-Hanks clan, John Hanks became a Republican and served in the Union Army. His loyalty to Mr. Lincoln never wavered. John Hanks played a central role in… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

William G. Greene (1812-1894) William Greene first met Mr. Lincoln in 1830 when he started working for Denton Offutt. At the Offut store, according to Herndon, “William G. Green[e] was hired to assist him, and between the two, a…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

William Butler (1797-1876) “First time I saw Lincoln was when he came down Sangamon River from Macon Co. in canoe. He was as ruff a specimen of humanity as could be found. His legs were bare for six inches between bottom of pants and top of socks.” William Butler told… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Jack Armstrong (1804-1854) “I suppose you have heard of Lincoln’s wrestling match with Jack Armstrong. I saw part of that. [Jack] Armstrong was one of the Clary Grove gang and it was their habit to initiate newcomers into town. Lincoln was…” Abraham Lincoln and Friends >

Supreme Court A real test for the President’s Illinois friendships came when a vacancy appeared on the Supreme Court for the district that included Illinois. Both Orville H. Browning and David Davis began angling for the… Abraham Lincoln and Friends >