Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 9.djvu/308

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��Ho7i. Josiah Gardner Abbott , LL.D.

��either from his district or the State at large, to all but one of the Democratic National Conventions since, including, of course, the last one, at Cincinnati, which nominated General VVinfield S. Hancock. His political prominence is shown by the fact that he has invariably been the chairman of the delegation from his State, and, several times, the candidate of his party in the Legislature for the office of United States senator. Judge Abbott was on the staff of Governor Marcus Morton. In 1853, he was a delegate to the Constitutional

��volved in this selection ; a compliment which was fully justified by the courage and ability which Judge Abbott mani- fested as a member of that commis- sion. It should have been mentioned before, that, in 1838, Judge Abbott married Caroline, daughter of Judge Edward St. Loe Livermore. After what has been said, it is scarcely neces- sary to give a summary of the promi- nent traits of Judge Abbott as a man and a lawyer. The warmth and fidelity of his friendship are known to all such as have had the good fortune to enjoy

��Convention, which consisted so largely that friendship. He is as conspicuous

��for integrity and purity of character as for professional ability. As a citizen, he is noted for patriotism, liberality, and public spirit. As a politician, he is true to his convictions. As a busi- ness man, he has brought to the aid

��of men of exceptional ability. In the debates and deliberations of this con- vention, he took a conspicuous part. In 1835, he was appointed judge of the superior court of Suffolk County. He retired from the bench in 1858, having won an enviable reputation for of the large railroad and manufacturing judicial fairness and acumen, and suav- ity of manner, in the trial of cases, which made him deservedly popular with the members of the bar who practised in his court. In the year following his retirement from the bench, he removed his office from Lowell to Boston, where he has since resided, practising in the courts, not only of this Commonwealth, but of the neighboring States and in the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1874, he was elected a member of Congress, from the fourth congressional district of Massachusetts. He was chosen by his Democratic colleagues of the House a member of the Electoral Commission, to determine the contro- verted result of the presidential elec- tion. When the gravity of the situa- tion, and the dangers of the country at that time, are taken into account, it is obvious that no higher compliment could have been paid than that in-

��interests, with which he has long been, and is still, connected, large intelli- gence, great energy, and sound judg- ment. His physical and mental powers are undiminished, and it may be hoped that many years of honor and prosperity are still in store for him.

GENEALOGY.

[i. George Abbot, the pioneer, born in 1615, emigrated from Yorkshire, England, about 1640, and was one of the first settlers and proprietors of Andover, in 1643. His house was a garrison for many years. In 1647, he married Hannah Chandler, daughter of William and Annis Chandler. They were industrious, economical, sober, pious, and respected. With Christian fortitude they endured their trials, privations, and dangers. He died December 24, 1681, aged 66. She married (2) the Reverend Francis Dane, minister of Andover, who died in February, 1697, aged 81. She died June 11, 1711, aged 82.

2. Timothy Abbot, seventh son and ninth child of George and Hannah (Chandler) Abbot, bom November 17, 1663 ; was captured during the Indian War in 1676, and returned in a few months to his parents ; was married in January, 1690, to Hannah Graves, who died November 16, 1726. He lived at the garrison-house, and died Septem- ber 9, 1730.

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