Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside Co., IL
Originally published 1885, Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages: 464-465

Asa M. Abbott, farmer, section 32, Ustick Township, has been prominent in the affairs of his township since his removal hither. He is the son of Benjamin and Dorcas (Noyes) Abbott, and his parents were born in New Hampshire. In 1848, they came to Whiteside county to spend thier remaining years with their son. The father died Feb. 24, 1854, at the residence of the latter in Ustick Township, when 67 years of age. The mother died  at the same place Feb. 27, 1877, at the greatly advanced age of 92 years. Their children were born in the following order: Ephraim (1st), deceased; Susan M.;Ephraim (2d; Peter G.;Enoch N.;Asa M.;Laura D. and Ruth M.

Mr. Abbott was born Nov. 16, 1820, in Hartland, Windsor Co., Vt. He lived in his native State until he was 14 years of age, when he went to Massachusetts to learn the trade of a mechinist, and he spent about six years in the manufacture of shelf hardware. He went next to Springfield in the same State, where he was employed in the arsenal about one year, after which he went to Richmond, Ky., where he spent a year in gunsmithing. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., and was there employed at his trade about two years. He came thence to Oquawka, Henderson Co., Ill., where he opened a gunsmith's shop, which he managed  about three years.

In July, 1847, he came to Fulton, Ill., He worked at his trade about six months, and in the following spring he located in the townshipe of Ustick, buying 120 acres of land on section 32, and there established his homestead. He has erected excellent buildings. His estate includes 420 acres of land in Whiteside, some timber land in Carroll County and a large tract in Kansas. Nearly all of his land in Whiteside County is in tillage.

Mr. Abbot was married Dec. 6. 1846, in Oquakka, to Sarah, daughter of Jay and Mary (Lamoret) Sperry. Her parents were born respectively in Connecticut and New York. After her parents' marriage they went to Ohio, where they remiand till 1837. They came thence to Hancock Co., Ill., where they resided till they went to Iowa, as stated. In 1846 they moved from Illinois to Iowa and located at Council Bluffs, where they remianed until the termination of their lives. Their children were as follows: John, Mary A., Betsey, Phebe, Sarah, William, Aaron, Charles and Harrison. Mrs. Abbot was born Feb. 18, 1822, in Trumbull Co., Ohio. The family circle now includes six children: Charles E., Jay M., Theo. S., Edward L., William L., and Alfred N. Ruth M., third child, died of lung fever when she was three years old. She was not fully grown to the size common to children of her age and was considered a dwarf.

The oldest son was educated at the (then) Military College at Fulton, and when he was 17 years of age he enlisted in the 147th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was in the military service one year as a musician. He is now a conductor on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.

J. Morton is a farmer in Kansas.

Theo S. was graduated at the State University of Illinois. He is operating as a civil engineer, and has occupied prominent positions at different points, and for some years in Mexico.

Edward L. is a graduate from the same institution and is engaged in the same business, in the city of New York.

William L. is also a graduate from the University of Illinois, and is a mechanical engineer in Chicago.

Alfred N. was also graduated at the same University.

Mrs. Mary A. Oatman, the eldest sister of Mrs. Abbott, was murdered by the Indians in Arizona while on the way to Southern California in 1849. A full account of the massacre of the family is give elsewhere.

Mrs. Abbott is a member of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Abbott has been a Trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church since its organization in 1872 in Ustick Township, although not a member. He belongs to the Masonic Order and to the I. O. O. F. He is a Republican in political opinions and connections, was in earnest sympathy with the North in the Civil War, and beefore it he was the practical friend of the fugitives from bondage, to whom his house was open for protection on their way to freedom.