For three years Lincoln was postmaster at New Salem. In this position he became well-acquainted with people for miles around. It was here he began his lifelong habit of reading newspapers, through which, in part, he learned to interpret public opinion. To supplement his earnings as postmaster he did odd jobs, such as clerking in Hill’s store, helping out at the mill or splitting rails.
This was the home of Alexander Trent. When Lincoln became postmaster he was required to furnish bond of five hundred dollars. Alexander Trent was one of his bondsmen.
Henry Onstat’s cabin and the cooperage where he made barrels so much in demand by the community of New Salem.
The cooperage was a busy place. There was always a great pile of shavings in the fireplace. Lincoln often came to the cooperage at night and by the glow of the burning shavings he studied mathematics, literature and law.
Across the road from the cooperage stood the double cabin of Jack Kelso, philosopher and fisherman, and his brother-in-law, Joshua Miller, the powerful village blacksmith.