Abraham Lincoln

[asdxrwhosu]

While researching my Hawkins ancestors in Missouri and Arkansas during the Civil War, a cousin emailed me this photo she received from her mother, stating her mother said the tall man standing by himself speaking to a large group of Missouri men is President Abraham Lincoln. Your thoughts?

 

[JBeckert]

From what I've read, Lincoln's visits to Misssouri were few and short, but he was there in 1859. This could very well be him. The coat looks correct and he is much taller than those before him. He appears to be standing in a low area and is still taller than those in front of him. Nice find.

 

[asdxrwhosu]

From what I've read, Lincoln's visits to Misssouri were few and short, but he was there in 1859. This could very well be him. The coat looks correct and he is much taller than those before him. He appears to be standing in a low area and is still taller than those in front of him. Nice find.

I've looked through a Website that proports to display all of the photos taken of Lincoln, and this one is not displayed. This appears to be taken by an amateur photographer. If so would it be valuable?

 

[TallTallMan]

It looks like this guy has a long beard, though it could be a distortion. I want to believe it's Lincoln!

 

[John Hartwell]

Long beard. Short hat. If it's 1859, Lincoln should be beardless.

 

[JackADriscoll]

While researching my Hawkins ancestors in Missouri and Arkansas during the Civil War, a cousin emailed me this photo she received from her mother, stating her mother said the tall man standing by himself speaking to a large group of Missouri men is President Abraham Lincoln. Your thoughts? View attachment 546223

I may be totally incorrect but it's got a Mormon feel to it

 

[JBeckert]

I've looked through a Website that proports to display all of the photos taken of Lincoln, and this one is not displayed. This appears to be taken by an amateur photographer. If so would it be valuable?

The problem is proving it's Lincoln. I think that's a long shot, but never say never.

 

[chubachus]

Looks a bit like a GAR event or some other type of reunion from say 1890-1910. The clothing does not looks 1860s to me.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

From what I've read, Lincoln's visits to Misssouri were few and short, but he was there in 1859.

Did Lincoln begin wearing tall stovepipe hats prior to his inauguration (in 1860)?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Interesting photograph that have not seen before.

Thought the silhouette of this subject gentleman reveals a rather portly looking frame, as well as him wearing quite a long beard, not typical for Lincoln (and certainly not, pre-1860).

Can see a broad resemblance, but don't think it's Lincoln.

 

[Pollaco]

Looks a bit like a GAR event or some other type of reunion from say 1890-1910. The clothing does not looks 1860s to me.

I tend to agree that this looks more like a veteran's reunion 35 years after the war. Where are the young faces?

 

[JBeckert]

Did Lincoln begin wearing tall stovepipe hats prior to his inauguration (in 1860)?

I don't know when Lincoln adopted the stovepipe. I've seen mention on his trip east to be inaugurated his hat was described as "shabby" and he purchased a stovepipe hat in New York.

 

[John Hartwell]

The subject of that photo is clearly the long line of men. They're all looking at the camera; standing in a single line, and not crowded around to listen to a political speech. The figure in question is in the picture quite by accident, and very unlikely to be Lincoln.

 

[Stryker65]

The subject of that photo is clearly the long line of men. They're all looking at the camera; standing in a single line, and not crowded around to listen to a political speech. The figure in question is in the picture quite by accident, and very unlikely to be Lincoln.

That's what I was thinking. The men seem veteran-age, and it would be quite strange to hear someone speak while standing in "line of battle" at anything other than a veteran reunion.

 

[CaptSpook]

I too would like to think it is Lincoln.

A much more detailed analysis of the photo might help including the type of photographic plate in use, clothing (the hats appear very post war GAR-ish to me), and other observations mentioned already, such as, the fact that Lincoln did not have a beard (that we know of) in 1859 (if indeed it is a beard and not a shadow of something else in the photo).

Nonetheless, a very interesting post.