Secretary of State Office

In 1840 Illinois governors appointed the Secretary of State, enabling Abraham Lincoln's political rival Stephen A. Douglas to gain this post. Lincoln knew many occupants of this office, including Lyman Trumbull, who succeeded Douglas.

Because the Secretary supervised elections, Lincoln spent many hours going over election returns here. In 1860, Secretary of State Ozias M. Hatch recommended John Nicolay, his chief clerk, to work for Lincoln in Washington.

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