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ROCKWELL CITY - For someone who just celebrated their 200th birthday on February 12, 2009, Abraham Lincoln looks pretty good.

Lincoln look-a-like Stan DeHaan, of Orange City - who's actually only seen somewhere between three and four score years - used the Calhoun County Courthouse steps Saturday as the perfect place to talk about the life, times and famous words of the 16th president during a birthday celebration sponsored by the Calhoun County Historical Society and the Calhoun County Democrats.

DeHaan's similarity to Lincoln was first noticed when he grew a beard for a local centennial. This led to him giving a presentation on Lincoln for his daughter Leah's third-grade class. This, in turn, went on to other presentations and entering various Lincoln look-alike contests.

The bicentennial year of Lincoln's birth has kept him running.

"It's a very busy year," he said. "I've done over 70 this year."

He normally does about 50.

As he speaks, DeHaan explains how he came by the name Honest Abe

"I short-changed a customer 6 cents," he said as Lincoln. "At the end of the day, I walked two miles to give it back."

Lincoln tried a number of jobs, including the practice of law.

"I became known as the most honest lawyer west of China," he said.

DeHaan went on to summarize Lincoln's career in the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives that eventually led him to run for president as the candidate for the newly formed Republican Party, which he explained was formed in opposition to slavery.

He served as president for the duration of the Civil War. One of his most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address, was given during the dedication of a cemetery at the tide-turning battle site.

DeHaan recited it for the audience.

"Four score and seven years ago," he began, ending a few minutes later, "Shall not perish from the earth."

DeHaan went on to explain how he died at the hands of John Wilkes Booth, an actor with Southern sympathy who shot him in Ford's Theater on April 14, 1865. Lincoln died the next day.

Only minutes before the shooting, he had leaned over and spoke to his wife, Mary Todd: "I'd like to take you back home to Springfield so we can spend some time alone."

He did go back; he is buried there.

Gracia Willis, of Litton, attended the event wearing her Great-aunt Caroline's dress and a hat borrowed from the Calhoun County Historical Society.

"It adds some flavor and atmosphere," she said of her all-black wardrobe, which also gave her an appreciation for modern light clothing.

"It's very warm; look at all the layers." Willis said.

Arieanna Grage, 6, of Rockwell City, got to have her picture taken with DeHaan afterwards. Her head fit neatly inside his top hat.

DeHaan not only looks like Lincoln, he also matches him closely in dimensions. Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches and DeHaan is only one inch shy of that.

He also shares something else.

"I do have the same-sized shoes," he said. A size 14.

Contact Hans Madsen at (515) 573-2141 or hmadsen@messengernews.net