One the years, I\u2019ve written a number of times about Abraham Lincoln \u2014 usually on, or around, his birthday. But since one of the current presidential candidates constantly compares himself to Lincoln, I thought I\u2019d talk about him a little more \u2014 especially a story I\u2019ve always liked about Abe and an 11-year old girl\u2026.
I guess Abraham Lincoln is, rightly, remembered as a man ahead of his time. Of all the men who\u2019ve held the office of President of the U.S, he\u2019s always ranked near the top \u2014 because of his intellect, humor and compassion.
But here\u2019s the story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Abe was still a presidential hopeful, he opened his mail one day \u2014 October 18, 1860, to be exact \u2014 and he probably chuckled to himself at the piece of advice being offered by 11-year old Grace Befell of Westfield, New York. She told him to give up shaving and that he \u201chad it in the bag.\u201d She wrote: \u201cYou would look a great deal better for your face is so thin\u2026. all the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and you would be President.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, Abe being Abe, dashed off this reply: \u201cAs to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin now?\u201d
Despite his answer to Grace, her suggestion must have made an impression on Abe. Lincoln loved to have his picture taken \u2014 and because of that, historians have been able to put together a chronicle or timeline of the development of the beard\u2026.
November 26, 1860 \u2014 a thin scraggly line of whiskers appears.
January 26, 1861 \u2014 more growth, but still straggly
February 9, 1861 \u2014 a mature, full growth of facial hair adorns the face of\u2026.. President Abraham Lincoln.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the story gets better \u2014 before he was inaugurated, and in fact, on his way from Illinois to Washington to accept the office of president, Lincoln\u2019s train made a whistle stop in Westfield, New York. Abe remembered the little girl with the good advice and he stopped midway through his prepared speech: \u201cDuring my campaign I had a little correspondent from your town. She kindly admonished me to let my whiskers grow, and since I\u2019ve taken her advice, I would like to see her. Is she here? Is Grace Befell here?\u201d
A small little girl was bustled through the crowd and soon Lincoln was face to face with Grace. As the President bent down to kiss her, the prickly stubble digging into her cheek might have made Grace wish she\u2019d never suggested the idea in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But thanks to Grace Befell, Abraham Lincoln became the first U.S. President to sport facial hair of any kind. But politicians know a good thing when they see it \u2014 ten of the next 11 presidents wore beards or side whiskers with or without mustaches.\u00a0
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One the years, I\u2019ve written a number of times about Abraham Lincoln \u2014 usually on, or around, his birthday. But since one of the current presidential candidates constantly compares himself to Lincoln, I thought I\u2019d talk about him a little … Continue reading