Chapter 31: Lincoln Resumes His Life in Springfield

Abe and Mary return home along with their two sons, Robert at age seven and Willie a toddler, and he throws himself full steam back into his law career.

In 1853, Mary gives birth to Tad who arrives with an oversized head that has his father calling him “Tadpole.” Unfortunately the infant also has a cleft palette that will plague his speech for the rest of his life.

Abe’s practice takes off around this time as evident by the 175 cases he tries before the Illinois Supreme Court. One of his main clients is the Illinois Central Railroad, at that time leading the nation in miles of track across its two lines up and down the state. His victories here provide enough wealth to provide his family with a comfortable existence for the first time.

Mary takes advantage of the added income to overhaul their Springfield home, adding a second story, several upstairs bedrooms, bookshelves, furniture and new wood stoves.

This period, from 1849 to 1853 stands as a happy time in their lives.