Lincoln served as an attorney for several railroad companies, including the Illinois Central whose vice president was none other than George B. McClellan, soon to be Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac and later a presidential campaign rival. 

In 1847, Coles County Illinois was divided when prominent local citizens offered refuge to a family of escaped slaves brought from Kentucky by Gen. Robert Matson. Abe Lincoln himself appeared in the Coles County courthouse to argue for the return of the escaped slaves under the Fugitive Slave Act in a case known as Matson v. Ashmore.

Photo: Can you find the Confederate Battle Flag in this photo?