Attorney Abraham Lincoln Represents William H. Herndon’s Father-in-Law

Miles, who was also a prominent Whig politico and part of Lincoln’s political circle, used Lincoln’s legal services a number of times

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen T. Logan formed a prominent Illinois law partnership (called Logan & Lincoln) from 1841 to 1844, during which Logan, an experienced attorney, mentored Lincoln and introduced him to complex areas of the law. During his partnership with Logan, Lincoln also increased his caseload before the Illinois Supreme Court and handled appeals from all areas of the state. Logan and Lincoln handled many cases together, not merely at their Springfield office but around the state. This ls because Lincoln had a circuit law practice that involved riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Illinois, covering 14-15 counties (including Menard County) on horseback or buggy. Logan remained in Springfield, while Lincoln traveled the Circuit. As a general practitioner, Lincoln handled diverse cases, including property disputes, debts, torts. slander, and criminal law. The Logan & Lincoln partnership ended amicably in 1844, after which Lincoln partnered with William H. Herndon, who was a clerk in the Logan & Lincoln law office, and whose father had been a Lincoln friend for many years.

George U. Miles was Herndon’s father-in-law. He came to Illinois in 1816 at age 20, settling first in St. Clair County, and then in White County, where he married Jane McCoy on November 18, 1821. They had three children. Miles removed to Logan County, and then in 1836, he went to Sangamon County, where he lived on a farm six miles north of Springfield. In 1839, he moved to Petersburg in Menard County, where he served as public administrator from 1845 to 1849. Miles was a Whig and a Menard County delegate to conventions that chose Whig candidates. Miles and Lincoln knew each other as neighbors and fellow Whigs, and also because of Miles’ family relationship to Lincoln’s friend and partner, Herndon. In early 1843, Lincoln sought a nomination for Congress and hoped for Miles’ political support.

Miles used Lincoln as an attorney a number of times, both before and after Herndon became Lincoln’s partner. In late 1843, Miles retained Logan & Lincoln and sued John Webb and Thomas Rogers to collect a $368.60 debt on a promissory note.

Autograph document signed, all in Lincoln’s hand, Menard County, Illinois, October-November 1843, being a petition in the county court in which Miles asks for judgment for a debt. “George U. Miles, plaintiff, states that he holds a note on the defendants John Webb and Thomas Rogers in substance as followeth: ‘$368.60. One day after date, we or either of us promise to pay George U. Miles or order three hundred and sixty eight dollars and sixty cents with twelve percent interest from date for value received. Our hands & seals: John Webb and Thomas Rogers, Petersburg, Ill. April 20th 1843.’ Yet the same debt remains unpaid, wherefore he prays judgment for his debt and damages for the detention of the same, together with his costs. Logan & Lincoln.”

Lincoln won the case. The defendants were found to have defaulted, and the court awarded Miles $392.67, counting costs. The case was decided November 1, 1843. It is listed at lawofficeofabrahamlincoln.org.

After Lincoln’s assassination, Miles acted as one of Herndon’s key investigators. Miles famously interviewed individuals, including Ann Rutledge’s aunt, to gather information about Lincoln’s early life and relationships, serving as a vital source for Herndon’s research. Herndon would write a famous biography of Lincoln in the 1880s.