Below is one version of the so-called "
YEAR | FAILURES or SETBACKS | SUCCESSES |
1832 | Lost job | Elected company captain of |
1833 | Failed in business | Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois |
1834 | | Elected to |
1835 | Sweetheart died | |
1836 | Had nervous breakdown | Re-elected to |
1837 | | Led Whig delegation in moving |
1838 | Defeated for Speaker | Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus |
1839 | | Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention |
1840 | | Argues first case before |
1841 | | Established new law practice with Stephen T. Logan |
1842 | | Admitted to practice law in U.S. District Court |
1843 | Defeated for nomination for Congress | |
1844 | | Established own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner |
1846 | | Elected to Congress |
1848 | Lost renomination | (Chose not to run for Congress, abiding by rule of rotation among Whigs.) |
1849 | Rejected for land officer | Admitted to practice law in U.S. Supreme Court |
1854 | Defeated for | Elected to |
1856 | Defeated for nomination for Vice President | |
1858 | Again defeated for | |
1860 | | Elected President |