1830-1839: First forays in politics and law

Lincoln's family relocated to Illinois from Knob Creek Kentucky. He helped build a flatboat and ferried cargo from Sangamon County, Illinois, to New Orleans, Louisiana, worked in a general store, served as a Captain in the Black Hawk War in 1832, lost an election for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly, began to study law and was licensed to practice in 1836. Elected as Whig candidate from Sangamon County to the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly in 1834 and served 3 more terms. Instrumental in moving the state capital to Springfield, where he started a legal firm with John T. Stuart in 1837.