Mr. Lincoln was an athlete of the first order. He could easily lift 1,000 pounds, 500 in each hand, according to Thomas D. Jones, a Cincinnati sculptor who made a bust of him in 1860.

Mr. Lincoln’s arms were so long and powerful that all he had to do was extend one hand to a man’s shoulder, and, using his own body weight and his strong arms, give the man a trip that would send him sprawling on the ground.

The opponent was usually so astonished by being sent sprawling that he quieted down.

 Source: The Personal Appearance of Lincoln, by John G. Nicolay, The Century Magazine, October 1891