Although this is often said about Abraham Lincoln, it is not true. For a thoroughly researched essay on Lincoln's real and imagined failures before becoming President, see http://www.snopes.com/glurge/lincoln.asp .
Illinois
Lincoln had a successful law practice in Springfield, IL when he was elected president.
Stephen Douglas
Abraham Lincoln had all 4 of his children, before becoming President. (Robert born in 1843, Eddy born in 1846, and Willie born in 1850, and Tad born in 1853.) Eddy had died in 1850, before Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
Before becoming President of the United States, and therefore the Commander in Chief of all the US armed forces, Abraham Lincoln was employed as a lawyer.
Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer before he became president.
The President before Abraham Lincoln was James Buchanan.
Before Johnson was Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was Lincoln's vice-president.
He was never a governor. He served in the Illinois state legislature and US House of Representatives before becoming President.
Polk was president before Lincoln
lawyer