Alva Review-Courier -

As we saw last week, Levi Lincoln Sr. had a remarkably successful political career. Although he lost a few elections, his governmental resume was nevertheless impressive.

In his native state of Massachusetts, he served as state representative, state senator, lieutenant governor, and acting governor. On the national level, he was a member of Congress and attorney general of the United States.

Lincoln and his wife Martha had 10 children, two of whom followed their father into politics, creating outstanding careers for themselves.

Levi Lincoln Jr. held several local offices including mayor of Worcester, speaker of the state house of representatives, and president of the state senate.

In addition, he was lieutenant governor for a year (1823-1824), governor for almost nine years (1825-1834), and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for seven years (1834-1841).

Meanwhile, Levi’s younger brother, Enoch, began a seven-year stint in Congress by winning election to a vacant Massachusetts House of Representatives seat in November 1818.

By 1820, however, part of Massachusetts – including Enoch’s district – broke away to form the new state of Maine. He continued to serve in Congress, from Maine, until he resigned in January 1826 to launch a campaign for governor.

Enoch Lincoln won three one-year terms as governor of Maine – in 1826, 1827 and 1828. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 40 in October 1829 during his third term.

During the entire time Enoch served as governor of Maine, his brother, Levi Jr., was governor of Massachusetts. This was the first time in U.S. history that brothers had been governors of two states at the same time.

The common ancestors that Abraham and Robert Lincoln shared with the New England Lincolns were Samuel and his wife Martha.

Samuel Lincoln immigrated from England to Massachusetts in 1637. Martha came to Massachusetts from Ireland. They married in 1649 and eventually had 11 children.

Their eldest of four sons, also named Samuel, was the ancestor of the two Levis and Enoch. Their youngest son, Mordecai, was the ancestor of Abraham and Robert.