Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Hanks, John. 'John Hanks to William H. Herndon (interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: interview]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon043.html

25. John Hanks to William H. Herndon (interview). ^[1]

Chicago — Sanitary fair — June 13th 1865 —

Dear Sir.

You have asked me some questions in your letter dated the ___ which I duly received.

My Cousin Dennis Hanks has told you all he knew & I could but repeat the same thing to you. What I shall say shall be short. I first became acquainted with "Abe" Lincoln when he was 14 years of age his father — & his family were then living in Indiana — Spencer Co about 17 miles from the Ohio river. I lived with Thos Lincoln four years in Indiana working on the farm My Cousin has said Abraham was farming — grubbing — hoeing — making fences &c.: he went to school but little whilst I was there — say one or two months & his father has offten told me he had not gone to school one year in all his life. He read the life of Washington — Histories — some poetry, — all he could get & learned the most of it by heart quickly & well & alwys remembering it. He often for amusement for his play fellows — neighbors & friends made quite good stump speeches when between the age of 15 & 20. I went to Indiana in 1823 and left ther after my four years were out and went back to Kentucky & stayed there till 1828 — when I moved to Macon Co Ills preseding Thomas Lincoln & his family. Thomas Lincoln moved to Macon Co in 1830. when the little Cabbin was built: it was built in March 1830. This I am sure of. The ground was broken up 1830 — the same year — the 10 acre tract has been Spoken of by my Cousin Dennis. I and Abe went down the Sangamon River from Decatur to Springfield in a canoe. The spring we

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