In office March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865 Vice President Hannibal Hamlin (1861–1865) Andrew Johnson (1865) Preceded by James Buchanan Succeeded by Andrew Johnson Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 7th district In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849 Preceded by John Henry Succeeded by Thomas L. Harris Born February 12, 1809(1809-02-12) Hardin County, Kentucky Died April 15, 1865(1865-04-15) (aged 56) Washington, D.C. Resting place Oak Ridge Cemetery Springfield, Illinois 39°49′24″N 89°39′21″W / 39.82333°N 89.65583°W / 39.82333; -89.65583 Nationality American Political party Whig (1832–1854) Republican (1854–1865) Spouse(s) Mary Todd Lincoln Children Robert Todd Lincoln Edward Lincoln Willie Lincoln Tad Lincoln Profession Lawyer Politician Religion See: Abraham Lincoln and religion Signature Military service Service/branch Illinois Militia Years of service 1832 Battles/wars Black Hawk War Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led the country through its greatest constitutional, military and moral crisis—the American Civil War--by preserving the Union by force while ending slavery and promoting economic modernization. Reared in a poor family on the western frontier, he was mostly self-educated. He became a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, and a one-term member of the United States House of Representatives, but failed in two attempts at a seat in the United States Senate. He was an affectionate, though often absent, husband, and father of four children..