Wheaton couple bring the Lincolns to life

Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln stopped in Batavia recently to celebrate Abe's 200th birthday. He was born Feb. 12, 1809.

The party included a program by Lincoln interpreters Max and Donna Daniels of Wheaton that delighted the scores of youngsters who were on hand at the Batavia Park District Civic Center.

With his beard (it's real), stove pipe hat and austere black suit, there was no mistaking the 6-foot, 2-inch tall Max as the 16th president. Donna was dressed in a wide, hoop skirt and plain black jacket. She sweeps her parted hair back in a net encircled by a ribbon.

The couple use humor in recounting Abe's childhood, his early years in Springfield, and the move to Washington, D.C. after he is elected president.

The Daniels also incorporate lessons in civics, ethics and perseverance in their presentation.

"Just because you don't like a particular law or rule doesn't mean you can break it," Donna says as Mary Todd Lincoln.

"I'm proud to say that when I was the president, I was very opposed to slavery," Max tells the children. He explains how the law was changed through an amendment to the constitution.

Their story also recounts how Abe's early business ventures failed, and how hard he continued to work, eventually studying and practicing law.

"It's like riding a bicycle," Donna tells the children. "You don't give up after you fall. You get back on."

Carla Hill, director of the Batavia Depot Museum, is well-acquainted with the Daniels' presentation.

"Adults as well as children go away with a much deeper knowledge and understanding of what it was like to grow up in those times," Hill said.

Max and Donna have portrayed the Lincolns for 21 years, and have been doing it for a living since 1994. They have both done research on the Lincolns and they exhibit a thorough knowledge of Lincoln history and family matters when answering questions.