FAILED IN BUSINESS - 1831
LOST ELECTION FOR LEGISLATURE - 1832
FAILED AGAIN IN BUSINESS - 1834
SWEETHEART DIED - 1835
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN - 1836
LOST SECOND POLITICAL RACE - 1838
DEFEATED FOR CONGRESS - 1843
DEFEATED FOR CONGRESS - 1846
DEFEATED FOR CONGRESS - 1848
DEFEATED FOR US SENATE - 1855
DEFEATED FOR VICE PRESIDENT - 1856
DEFEATED FOR US SENATE - 1858
ELECTED PRESIDENT - 1860; NEVER GIVE UP.