Inscription of Abraham Lincoln to Henry B. Rankin in Autograph Album, 23 February
18581
To-day, Feb. 23 1858, the owner honored me with the privilege of writing the first name in this book–
A. Lincoln–22When Henry B. Rankin worked in the law office of Lincoln & Herndon, the young man brought an autograph book to work and asked Lincoln to write this
first inscription. Rankin then asked William H. Herndon, who wrote, “The struggles of this age and succeeding ages for God & man—Religion—Humanity
& Liberty with all their complex and grand relations—may they triumph and conquer forever,
is my ardent wish and most fervent soul-prayer.”
Ceremonies at the Unveiling of Monument to William H. Herndon, Abraham Lincoln’s Last
Law Partner, Oak Ridge Cemetery, May 30, 1918, Springfield, Illinois (Privately printed, n.d.), 9, 14.
Copy of Autograph Document Signed, 1 page(s), Ceremonies at the Unveiling of Monument to William H. Herndon, Abraham Lincoln’s Last Law Partner, Oak Ridge Cemetery, May 30, 1918, Springfield, Illinois (Privately Printed, nd.), 14.