| YEAR | FAILURES or SETBACKS | SUCCESSES |
| 1832 | Lost job
Defeated for state legislature | Elected company captain of Illinois militia in Black Hawk War |
| 1833 | Failed in business | Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois
Appointed deputy surveyor of Sangamon County |
| 1834 | | Elected to Illinois state legislature |
| 1835 | Sweetheart died | |
| 1836 | Had nervous breakdown | Re-elected to Illinois state legislature (running first in his district)
Received license to practice law in Illinois state courts |
| 1837 | | Led Whig delegation in moving Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield
Became law partner of John T.
Stuart |
| 1838 | Defeated for Speaker | Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus
Re-elected to Illinois House (running first in his district)
Served as Whig floor leader |
| 1839 | | Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention
Admitted to practice law in U
|