Postmasters first, presidents later

Happy Presidents' Day! Did you know that Abraham Lincoln and Harry S. Truman were postmasters before they became presidents?

Actually, Lincoln was the only president to have served as a postmaster: In 1914, Truman was appointed postmaster of Grandview, Missouri, but he gave his position to a widow in need.

Lincoln served as postmaster of New Salem, Illinois, from 1833 until 1836. According to the USPS, "The United States Official Register, published in odd-numbered years, dutifully records A. Lincoln as receiving compensation of $55.70 in the 1835 volume and $19.48 for one quarter's work in the 1837 volume. Besides his pay, Lincoln, as postmaster, could send and receive personal letters free and get one daily newspaper delivered free."