ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865) rose from humble beginnings to lawyer, statesman, and 16th president of the United States. He is considered one of the most influential Americans in history with his Gettysburg Address, emancipation of the slaves, and leadership in preserving the Union. ; CARL SCHURZ (1829-1906) a German American statesman and member of the Lincoln administration, served as a Union general in the Civil War, was senator for Missouri and US Secretary of the Interior. ; JOSEPH H. CHOATE (1832-1917) was a distinguished lawyer, congressman and US Ambassador to Great Britain. A gifted speaker and litigator of famous cases, he was known for his persuasion and wit.
