Abraham's father remarried and, as the frontier expanded and became more populated, so the quality of life increased. Lincoln soon broke out on his own and moved to New Salem. Here he was successful, and he managed a mill store.
When the Black Hawk War broke out, the volunteers elected Lincoln to be their captain. After the war, Lincoln announced his intention to stand for the Illinois Legislature. He was not elected, but had pockets of high popular support. In 1834, he tried again, and this time was successful. Lincoln served four terms in the legislature, becoming floor leader of his party.