Snopes.com does a nice job of investigating each of these dates and determining what’s true and what’s not.
1816 – Family was forced out of home, and he had to work to support them
1818 – His mother died
1831 – Failed in business
1832 – Lost election for legislature
1832 – Lost his job
1832 – Wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in
1833 – Began a business and went bankrupt, spent next 17 years paying off the debt
1835 – Sweetheart died
1836 – Nervous breakdown
1838 – Sought to become speaker of legislature and was defeated
1843 – Defeated for Congress
1848 – Defeated for re-election to Congress
1849 – Rejected for job of land officer
1854 – Defeated for US Senate
1856 – Defeated for Vice President
1858 – Defeated for US Senate
1860 – Elected President of the United States
Something to think about. Never quit trying.