Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/375

 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 303 strict retirement during her later years, spending part of her time with her son in Chicago, a portion in Europe, and the rest with her sister, Mrs. Ed wards, in Springfield, Illinois, where she died of paralysis. Their son, ROBERT TODD, lawyer, born in Spring field, 111., August 1, 1843, was prepared for college at Phillips Exeter academy, and graduated at Harvard in 1864. He entered Harvard law-school, but after a short stay applied for admission to the military service, and his father suggested his ap pointment on the staff of Gen. Grant, as a volun teer aide-de-camp without pay or allowances. This exceptional position did not meet with Gen. Grant s approval, and at his suggestion young Lincoln was regularly commissioned as a captain, and entered the service on the same footing with others of his grade. He served with zeal and efficiency through out the final campaign, which ended at Appomat- tox. At the close of the war he resumed the study of law, was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and prac tised his profession with success in Chicago until 1881, with an interval of a visit to Europe in 1872 ; he steadily refused the offers that were repeatedly made him to enter public life, though taking part, from time to time, in political work and discussion. In 1881, at the invitation of President Garfield, he