When you think of Abraham Lincoln, do you think first about him being the 16th U.S. president and leading the country during our civil war? Or is it the emancipation proclamation and freeing the slaves that comes to your mind? Perhaps what you remember most from history class is his assassination while attending the theatre. Whatever your associations, I bet your first thoughts did not include, “Wasn’t he a property tax attorney?”
It’s true that Lincoln is remembered for many momentous points in American history. However, before his presidency he was a practicing Illinois attorney. Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer in 1833 and joined a general practice, taking on all kinds of cases including property tax appeals. In many of these property tax appeals he was defending the railroads.
Lincoln was successful as a lawyer, representing clients against the government. However, as we all know, he became even more successful by winning the election as President of the United States. When he became President, his fight against taxes continued. In office he passed two important laws allowing tax breaks for the railroads. So I guess in the end, you can stick it to the man or become the man.