The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-02-20
Hon. Cbauncy Abbott.

Jan. 30th 1872. He had resided 10
Wisconsin for quarter Of century and
the Wisconsin State Journal makes this
the occasion of the following remarks.
Mr. Abbott was native of Vermont
was born at Cornwall, in that State, on
the 10th of September, 1916; he was,
therefore, fifty six years of age in Sep
tember last. He was prepared for Col
lege at the Addison County Grammar
Scho,, and graduated at Middebury
College in 1887. For short time he
was private tutor in Warren communi-
ty, Virginia, during the years 1878.
In the latter year, he returned to his ma.
tive State and studied law with Phineas
Smith, Esq of Rutland. After complot-
ing his studies, in 1S41, he removed to
Wisconsin, and settled in that year at
Fort Winnebago, and entered upon the
practice of his profession. In 1S43, he
removed to Madison, stopped for short
time, and then settled in Mineral Point,
forming law partnership with Hon.
Moses NJ. Strong; and about the same
time married sister OF Mr. Strong. AT
ter some two years Mr.. Abbott returned
to Madison, and permanently settled in
this place. He formed partnership
with Hon. John Catin, in the practice Of
the law as early as 1S45, with whom he
remained in business for several years.
This was his position when the writer Of
this article first formed his acquaintance,
in 1847.
On locating in Madison, Mr.. Abbott,
being man of fine education and
throughly read lawyer, at once took
prominent position among the leading
men Of the territory. AS lawyer he
took high rank, both as a counselor and
an advocate He was very graceful
speaker, and always presented his speech
cs in pure language, and in an impress
sive and often truly eloquent manner.
He was good advocate, both before the
court and jury. There was a sincerity in
his manner while conducting case.
that made it effective and he possessed
an excellent knowledge oflaw. His gen.
eral reading of history, etc., was also
very extensive and complete, In this re-
spect, he had few superiors in the state.
In politics, he belonged to the old
Wing party, and was one ofits truest and
ables. advocates. That party being in
the minority in Wisconsin, Mr.. Abbott
did not realize that political preferment
that his talents would have commanded
for him, had he belonged to the dominant
party. His ability was however, recog.
nized hy frequent nominations for posi-
ton, aIi by an occasional election to of.
fee When Il candidate, he always ran
ahead OF his own party strength, and
sometimes succeeded in localities that
were naturally against him politically.
On the adoption of our State Constitu-
ton in 1S48, Mr.. Abbott was nominated
by the Wings, as their candidate for the
first Secretary of the State. While he
made brilliant canvass and an excellent
run, he was borne down, by the great
strength of the Democratic party at that
time, and Hon. Thomas McHugh was
elected. Mr.. Abbott was at an early
day, elected District Attorney, in Dane
county, as a Wing, although the Demo-
Gratis had o large majority in the county,
in proportion to the number of votes
cast.
In the fall Of lS49, Mr.. Abbott was
elected to represent the Capital district
in the Assembly of 1850, and it was
most able and faithful member of that
body. His influence was second to no
one on the floor of the Assembly Of that
year.
In 1850, Mr.. Abbott was appointed
Postmaster at Madison, by President
Taylor, and served in that capacity till
after the Inauguration of President
Pierce, in 1858, in manner entirely
satisfactory to the people
In 1882, Mr.. Abbott was nominated
as the Wing candidate for Congress in
the Second district. His opponent was
Hon. Benz. c. Eastman. Mr.. Abbott
entered upon thorough canvass, making
eloquent and effective speeches in most of
the counties in the district but was de-
featcd, not from any want of personal
popularity, but from the fact that the
Democratic party was decidedly the
!, strongest. We believe this was tho last
time Mr.. Abbott was candidate before
the people, for an elective office, though
his name was frequently mention on con-
nection with position on the Supreme
bench, a place he was eminently qualified
to fill and adorn; and for other places Of
honor and trust.
On the passage of the law by Congress,
granting pensions to the soldiers 10 the
late war, Mr.. Abbott was appointed Pen
sion Agent for this part Of the State,
for which position he held for several
years, discharging well every duty con-
nected with it.
Some four or five years ago, Mr.. Alb.
bolt removed with his family East, and
he obtained business, which required a
division of his time between the cities OF
New York and Boston. Most of this
time, his family resided in Vermont,
where, year or two since, he built fine
residence, with view to the spending OF
the balance of his life in his native
State. This intention was not abandoned
when some eight months ago, he made a
visit to Schuyler in Nebraska, where a
son of his present wife was largely inter-
ested in property. On spending short
time in the West he became highly
,, pleased with the locality, and took an in.
terest in property there, and commenced
farming, confning himself principally to
stock raising. His family followed him
to Nebraska, during the last summer,
where they have since resided. We un-
; derstand, however, that it was not the
expection to make this his residence for
many years, had his life been spared
but, after time, he expected to return
!, to his pleasant home in Vermont, which
he retained, furnished. and ready for oc-
cupancy at any time. But it was not for
him to return to Vermont. His labors