Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/28

ABBOTT.ABBOTT. years of age, when he removed to Texas with his father. He worked on a farm for two years, attended a private school, and then one styled classical, where he remained until June, 1859, when he began the study of law. When Texas seceded in 1861, he entered the Confederate army with the rank of first lieutenant in the 12th Texas cavalry. In this capacity he served throughout the war, except when disabled by wounds received in battle. The war over, he resumed his law studies, and being licensed in October, 1866, began practice at Springfield, Limestone county, Texas. During the year 1867 the reconstruction acts of congress were put in force; judges and other civil officers were removed, and military officers put in their places. When the courts in Hill county were reorganized, Mr. Abbott engaged in practice at Hillsboro, where he resided. In November, 1869, he was elected to the state legislature and served one term. He continued the practice of the law until the close of 1878, when he was appointed, by the governor of the state, district judge of the 28th judicial district. He served two years, and was then elected by the people of the same district, and served four years. In September, 1886, he was elected to represent the sixth district in the 50th congress by the democratic party, and subsequently was reelected to the 51st, 52d, 53d, and 54th congresses, serving, 1887-97.  ABBOTT, John Edward, lawyer, was born in Norridgewock, Maine, Nov. 30, 1845, son of the Hon. John L. and Elizabeth T. (Allen) Abbott. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native place and at Newton, Mass., until 1862. He entered Yale in the class of 1869, and was graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1869. He studied law in the office of his father and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1872, entering into partnership with his father in 1876. He was a member of the Massachusetts legislature in 1893 and 1894. He married June 12, 1878, Alice G. Cochrane, daughter of the Hon. M. N. Cochrane of Compton, Canada, senator in the Dominion parliament.  ABBOTT, John Hammill, physician, was born in Fall River, Mass., Aug. 11, 1848, son of James and Catharine (Henry) Abbott. He was educated in the public schools; the Providence conference seminary, East Greenwich, R.I., and at Fruit Hill seminary, North Providence, R.I. He served in the U.S. signal corps during the civil war, 1861-65, getting his discharge as sergeant, and was apothecary on board the U.S. monitor Saugus, 1868-69. He was graduated at Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1872; practised medicine at Centerville. R.I., 1872-73 and at Fall River, Mass., from 1873. He served as colonel and assistant quartermaster-general on the staff of Gov. Oliver Ames of Massachusetts for three years; and was a delegate to the Republican national conventions at Chicago, Ill., and Minneapolis, Minn. He was married April 27, 1878, to Lizzie Reynolds of St. John, Newfoundland.  ABBOTT, John Stephens Cabot, author, was born at Brunswick, Me., Sept. 18, 1805, son of Jacob and brother of Jacob Abbott. He was graduated from Bowdoin college and from Andover theological seminary, and in 1830 was ordained a Congregational minister. As such he began his work at Worcester, after which he served in Roxbury and Nantucket, and in Fairhaven, Conn., preaching till near the time of his death. He attained eminence as an author, his first essay in that direction being the publication of a series of papers entitled "Mother at Home." Contrary to the expectations of his publishers, who were with difficulty induced to undertake the convoy of the book through the press, the work had an enormous circulation, both in this country and in England; it was translated into several European languages, and ultimately found its way to Africa and India, being printed in the native tongues, and ran into several editions. The unmistakable success of this first venture practically determined Mr. Abbott's career. His field was chiefly that of history, and prominent among his works of this class may be noted his "Life of Napoleon." He was the author of a volume on "Practical Christianity," and wrote voluminously for the best periodicals of the day, notably for the "Christian Union." The amount of work accomplished daily by Mr. Abbott was marvellous, and was wholly due to his habit of methodically planning his day's work. He rose very early in the morning, and breakfast only interrupted his writing until noon. His parish calls were made in the afternoon, and were about the only diversion he allowed himself. In the evening he either read or spent a social hour with his family. It was only by strictly adhering to this plan that he could accomplish what he did— preaching twice on Sunday, lecturing at least once a week, writing many magazine articles, and not less than two books a year. He was a wise reader, selecting the most helpful books and portions of books, and retaining the essential parts. His mind was extremely clear and active, and he could leave the subject in hand for something entirely different, and then resume his former work without the slightest inconvenience. He was fortunate in having an efficient amanuensis in his wife, who took from him nearly all the dull drudgery of the work. She assumed charge of his correspondence, looked up his authorities, and corrected his proofs. Mr. Abbott was blessed with a singularly even temperament. By his personal goodness, as well as by his books, he