ABBOTT.ABBOTT.
"Paul and Virginia," "Chimes of Normandy, "and "Martha." Her operas were noted for the costly, tasteful, and historically correct costumes. Miss Abbott was warm-hearted and philanthropic in the extreme. None knew the extent of her private charities, and a biographer said of her, "Every city in the United States which has, during her years of financial prosperity, been afflicted by famine, fire, flood or pestilence, has occasion to thank Emma Abbott for generous contributions in the hour of need." In 1889 her husband died, and the magnificent monument costing $90,000 which she erected over his grave, was unfinished at the time of her death. Several legacies were left by her, among them gifts to Mr. Talmage's Tabernacle, and Plymouth church, Brooklyn, and the Madison avenue Baptist church, New York city. The last two used the money to remodel the organs, on which were placed memorial tablets to the donor. Her death occurred Jan. 5, 1891.
ABBOTT, Gorham Dummer, educator, was born at Hallowell, Me., Sept. 3, 1807, youngest son of Jacob Abbott, a clergyman, and brother of Jacob and John Stephens Cabot Abbott. He was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1826, and from the theological seminary at Andover in 1831. The same year he was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational church, and removed to New York city, where he engaged in teaching. He settled at New Rochelle, N. Y., and in addition to his duties as teacher, did considerable literary work for the American tract society. He then joined his brothers, Jacob and John S. C. Abbott, in establishing the Abbott Institute in New York city. This was a school for young ladies, and attained a leading position among such schools. He retained his connection with it for two years, and then withdrew to found the Spingler Institute on Union square in the same city. This venture was also successful, and the school was removed to the Townsend mansion, on the corner of Fifth avenue and Thirty-Fourth street, where afterwards the late A. T. Stewart built his marble residence. Financial difficulties followed this removal, and in a few years Mr. Abbott was obliged to close the school. He was noted for his scholarly attainments, especially for his knowledge of biblical literature. He wrote a work on Mexico, and some school text-books. He died at South Natick, Mass., July 31, 1874.
ABBOTT, Jacob, author, was born in Hallowell, Me., Nov. 14, 1803; son of the Rev. Jacob and Betsy (Abbot) Abbott, He attended the academy of his native town, and was graduated at Bowdoin in 1820. In 1821 he entered Andover theological seminary, and finished the course in 1824. He taught in Portland academy and was tutor in Amherst college during the next year, and in 1825 was made professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in that institution. The Hampshire association licensed him to preach in 1826. May 18, 1829, he married Harriet Vaughan, and moved soon afterwards to Boston to establish the Mount Vernon school. This school aimed to give to young women an educational training equal to that given to young men, and was a pioneer in such work. Mr. Abbott's views in regard to education were very advanced for the times in which he lived. He was not a disciplinarian in the accepted meaning of that term, and made his school a self-governing community, relying on the honor and united conscience of the pupils for the maintenance of the order necessary for the success of the school. His methods were eminently successful, and he carried on this work until 1834, when he severed his connection with the school to become pastor of the Eliot Congregational church at Roxbury, Mass., and began to write books for young people. During this year he finished one of the books, entitled "The Young Christian Series." They are all graphic in description and simple in statement, conveying truths that have been far-reaching in their influence over the young. The great popularity they immediately acquired led the author to continue such writings, and although he associated himself with his brothers in the Abbott Institute in New York, his life thereafter was largely devoted to literature. He wrote over two hundred volumes, which have been republished in England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Holland, France, and India. His books have inspired many men to worthy effort and a useful life. Among these works are: "Conversations on the Bible"; "The Corner Stone; or, A Familiar Illustration of the Principles of Christian Truth"; "Evidences of Christianity"; "Franklin, the Apprentice Boy"; "Hoary-head and M'Donner"; "The Little Philosopher"; "The Little Learner"; "New England and Her Institutions"; "Public Life of Benjamin Franklin"; "The Teacher"; "The Way to do Good; or, The Christian Character Mature"; "Rollo Books" (28 vols.); "Lucy Books" (6 vols.); "Jonas Books" (6 vols.); "Franconia Stories" (10 vols.); "Marco Paul Series" (6 vols.); "Gay Family" (13 vols.); Juno Books" (6 vols.); "Rainbow Series" (5 vols.); "Science for the Young", "Heat," "Light," "Water and Land," and "Force" (4 vols.); "A Summer in Scotland"; series of histories of America (8 vols.). He also aided his brother, J. S. C., in his series of illustrated histories, and compiled a series of school readers. He died at Farmington, Me., Oct. 31, 1879.
ABBOTT, Jo, representative, was born near Decatur, Ala., Jan. 15, 1840. He attended the common schools of the county until thirteen
