The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-25
Hon. George j. Abbot.

The tidings of the death of Hon. George j.
Abbot, on Tuesday the 21st inst, are grievous,
and in q measure unexpected, to his many
friends here. His last days were passed at
Godereh, Ontario, to which consulate he was
appointed in the summer of 1877, and where be
had won, in his brief residence, great esteem
and fr.endliness. Indeed wherever he might
be, such could not fail to be the case; for he
united to the infexbe Integrity and high
sense Of honor which he inherited from FORE
fathers notable in New England early history,
delicate tact and utter kindness, and the
courlly polish Of manner more often met in
foreign diplomatic society than in the simpler
social life Of our republic. Mr.. Abbot was
born in Wpdham, N. H., thu 14th July, 1872;
his father was Rev Jacob Abbot His COL
legiate course at Harvard was prepared for by
his studies at Phillips Academy, Ex- ter Y. H.
In 1871, he married Miss Ann Taylor Gilman
Emery, daughter of Judge Emery of this city,
and granddaught of Gov. John T. Gilman, of
New Hampshire. Mr. Abbot opened private
classical school in Washington, where he
taught large number of young men, and
where, it is easy to understand, his grace of
manner deepened the impression of his Chris
tian character 10 its good influences upon his
pupils. Beside the work directly connected
with his OVID teaching, he was greatly inter-
ested in general matters of education, and did
much to further its interests He was,
also, very active in the Unitarian Chorch,
and his home was always open for the
entertainment of preachers. Mr.. Abbot
was appointed by Daniel Webster, at the
time Secretary of State, to a position on
the Consular Bureau. he was for a number OF
years the private secretary and the trusted
friend Of Mr.. Webster. Daring the last weeks
of the great statesman's life, Mr.. Abbot was
with him at his house in Marshfeld; and after
his death compiled, together with Edward Ev-
erett, the speeches sc. of Mr.. Webster-in this
manner paying the last tribute Of friendship
which was on both sides, strong, satisfactory
and enduring. In 1856 Mr.. Abbot prepared
volume of Consular Regulations, which re-
ceived high and unqualified praise from Hon.
Caleb Gushing, as we'll as from other sources.
Perhaps no American coasul has been more
thoroughly verssd in every detail of the work
than he was: and his worth in this respect was
recognized 10 1861 the death of his wife took
place. In 1864 Mr.. Abbot was appointed by
Secretary Seward as consul at Sheffield, Eng
land where ne remained for several years.
Later he accepted position in the Unitarian
Theological School at Mesdvil,e, Pa, where he
combined the offices of Treasurer, Librarian.
and Professor of Literature aud of C0nstitu
tional Law. H. was obliged to leave these
manifold labors on account of failing health;
but his energy allowed him no long time Of
leisure, and in the Summer of 1877 he was ap.
pointed to thu consulate at Godercb, Ontario.
Briefly, these are the most prominent events of
Mr.. Aboot's life, which was one of treless ac-
tivits aud OF utter fidelity to the interests in
truste to him. To those who were SO fortu-
nate as to have personal knowledge of him it
is needless to recall thu dignity, elegance and
courtesy that were his, unfsilingly. Mr.. Abbot
leaves four daughters: Mrs Throop of Cincin-
natl, Mrs. Morrison of Peterborough, Mass
and two younger daughters who were with him
in Godarich