Thanks for making time to listen to a few of my stories.
I have always been interested in American history but heading a children's charity and raising a family did not allow time. Upon retirement I spent several years re reading those history books that I had just read in school to pass the test. During these reads, I paid particular attention to record (for retelling) those interesting and informative stories my history teachers didn't have time to share.
I organized Santa Express Trains to the North Pole for 10 years during my tenure with the children's charity. This intensified my passion for trains which I had had from youth. Upon retirement, I continued feeding my train passion by riding most of Amtrak's trains, even serving as an Amtrak tour guide.
My train passion went through the roof when I learned Robert Todd Lincoln arguably set the record for riding the most miles on trains before age 25, and while Secretary of War he traveled by train to many military places out West, AND at age 55 replaced George Pullman as the CEO of nation's largest rail manufacturing company, the Pullman Palace Car Co. Robert serve as CEO for 11 years and then continue as chairman of the Board for another 14 years! He definitely became a railroad baron.
With this knowledge, I chose to become a Robert Todd Lincoln reenactor. I found only 2 books on Robert Todd Lincoln. Yet, these books contained valuable information and stories I found delight in sharing as his reenactor.
For information and stories about
Robert Todd Lincoln tap here Mary Todd Lincoln tap here
Pre Gilded Age Lincoln
Mary Todd's Obsession
To Be First Lady
Mary Todd's Obsession
To Be First Lady
The Short
Mary Todd Lincoln had waited 20 long years for this day. Since childhood, she had dreamed of being the first lady of the U.S.
One day in Lexington Ky, 7yr old Mary Todd jumped into the lap of a presidential hopeful Henry Clay and exclaimed “Mr. Clay, when you become president I will marry you.”
Sitting behind her husband as he gave his inaugural speech in 1861, she thought back to her youth in Lexington.and her choosing of Lincoln over Stephen A. Douglas, a much more likely candidate for to be a future president than Lincoln.
Ironically, also sitting in the inaugural stands was Douglas, the defeated presidential candidate.
Mary Todd grew up in a well to do family in Lexington KY. As a precocious 7 year old she was looking to her future, particularly politics.
Perhaps, when you live down the street from a major political force like Henry Clay and your father was involved with local then state politics along with having 3 older sisters (one of which would marry the son of an Illinois governor), it is understandable.
Yet, her declaration made on the lap of Henry Clay who would be running again for U.S. president is remarkable. “When you become president, I will marry you.”
Mary Todd would go one to become an educated, beautiful young lady.’
What’s even more amazing is choosing Abraham Lincoln to be her husband over Stephan A. Douglas.
Abraham Lincoln was just a country lawyer with
no education and certainly no money.
Whereas Stephan A. Douglas had education, money, and had political office.
When Lincoln had second thoughts about marrying, Douglas stepped in to ask Mary Todd for her hand.
Mary Todd, politely but firmly, said “no” to Douglas’ offer. She probably didn’t even think twice.
Although, one wonders if she did a few years later after marrying Lincoln. In Lexington, she lived very well. In her early years of marriage, she had no servants, lived in a cold drafty house, and certainly couldn’t afford much on Lincoln’s salary.
She must have felt things would turn around when Lincoln won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mary Todd undoubtedly thought she would be part of Washington’s social scene.
But that was not to be for two reasons: Mary had to take care of 6 year old Robert and Lincoln was constantly away working.
Finally, Mary couldn’t take it anymore and left for her family home in Lexington, KY.
Fast forward to March 1861. Lincoln was giving his inauguration speech in Washington while Mary, sitting behind Lincoln, was beaming!
She had finally, after 20 long years, had fulfilled her destiny. She was now the First Lady of the U.S.
As she looked over Lincoln’s shoulder, she noticed Stephen A Douglas sitting in the stands with his young wife.
Mary Todd felt vindicated on so many levels, especially having been second guessed for choosing Lincoln over Douglas.
Interesting that Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, both from Illinois and both who sought Mary Todd Lincoln as a marriage partner, ran against each other for president in the 1860 election.
Pre Gilded Age Lincoln