January 26, 1858 – Iowa’s Governor – James W. Grimes – is elected to the United States Senate, joining fellow Republican James Harlan.

These two senators will play a major role in seeing a young senator from Illinois – Abraham Lincoln – is elected to the U.S. presidency in 1860.

A Day-by-Day Calendar of Historical Events In Iowa, William J. Petersen, State Historical Society of Iowa, 1946, p 16

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