10. Abraham Lincoln was a teetotaler who swore off alcohol
During his early years in Salem, Illinois, before he became a successful lawyer, Abraham Lincoln ran a “grocery store”. As with many groceries today, his shop sold alcohol, usually in the form of hard cider and whiskey. Grocery store was served as a euphemism for a bar, where alcohol was sold for immediate, on-premises consumption. During his debates with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln defended himself from somewhat snide references from his opponent that he operated a bar. He claimed he never sold alcohol for consumption on the premises, though records indicate he and his partner did just that. Lincoln also never swore off alcohol, “taking the pledge” as the growing temperance movement claimed. He simply did not live the effects of whiskey and avoid consuming it. He said it made him feel “flabby”.
But as President, Lincoln did drink. He avoided whiskey, though it was served in many of his meetings with his generals during the war. He occasionally sipped cider and was known to take wine at some formal meals, and champagne at receptions and celebrations. There exists no evidence he was ever “flabby” during his days in Congress or as President. Certainly if ever a man had an excuse for being so, he did. His self-enforced moderation stood out in a day where politicians, military leaders, businessmen, and newsmen all drank heavily. Lincoln also supported efforts by temperance leaders and some of his commanders to control alcohol consumption by the troops. Excessive alcohol consumption among officers and men and its related disciplinary and health problems plagued both sides throughout the Civil War.