Abraham Lincoln learned many lessons on responsibility while growing up in Indiana. This lesson allows the teacher and students to share and talk about responsible actions. Background As a young boy growing up in Indiana, Abraham Lincoln learned and practiced the act of taking personal responsibility. Abraham borrowed a biography of George Washington from his neighbor, Josiah Crawford. By some accident the book was ruined by a rainstorm. Young Abraham acknowledged to Mr. Crawford his accountability. Abraham agreed to work off this debt to Mr. Crawford by pulling fodder (cut the tops from corn) Duration: 30 Minutes.