Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-11-11


Tuesday said '.Theopbilus {. Abbott,
Ill. D., president Of the Michigan Agrieul-
tufai College from 1868 to 1885 and one of
the best known educators in the state, died
at Lansing Mich, Monday moraing, Oct.
81 ls92 aged eighty-six years.
Probably very few who read the above in
the obituary column of the daily press gave
(, a thought, or knew that the subject OF IL
was an eminent son of Maine, one of the
father. Of the agricultural college system of
the Tinted States, distinguished general
educator. and who for a period Of twenty
years had more influence with the sucee sive
Legislatures of the grea, state OF Michigan
than any other man. Such person ought
surely TO be well known and long remem-
bered by the people of his native State.
Theophilus Capen Abbott was born in
Vassalboro, in this county in 1906. aud
graduated from Watervile College in the
class of 1915. Immediately upon leaving
college, Mr.. Abbott engaged in teaching tor
many years, going first TO Vermont where
he taught two years at Tow Dslend. lie
then returned to Maine and was principal
of the school in this city in lsi7, In 1913
he was principal of the school in Thomas
ton: at Bath in 1919; Portland in 1890.
aud Houlton IN 1851. During 1852 and l8-
80 be was an instructor ut WatervIile Col
ioge. In 1854 he went to Michigan and for
one year Taught an academy at Berrien, in
that state and in 1856 and 1857 was an
assistant professor at Ann Arbor. In 1857
he was ordained to the ministry of the
Congreg ational church but did not preach
as he liked teaching better The Michigan
Agricultural College was established
in 1866, in accordance with a
provision in the State constitution
which said that THE Legislature shall, as
soon as practicable, provide for the estab-
iisbment of an agricultural school'-this
being the first agricultural school or college,
established by constitutional provision in
any state in the United States. In this
college, which was opened to students in
May. 1857, DIR. Abbott was appointed to
the chair OF English literature. and held
the position from 1865 to 1862; and on
December :, 1862, he was chosen president
continuing in this office till July |, 1885,
bis voluntary resignation having been
placed before the trustees November
-, 1881 TN retiring from the presidency
of the college the trustees induced him to
Logic, which position he held till the date
of his death In ls62 aud s69 he was act
ing secretary of the State Board of Agricul-
ture of Michigan. In 1871 the | University of
Michigan conferred upon DIR. Abbott the
degree of IL. u, pom his resignation of
the presidency of the Agricultural College
the trustees in vote of thanks said "Dr
Abbo,t's labors have been largely
instrumental in bringing this col
legc 10 lis present high position among
institutions of it, kini in this country"
During the twenty-five years that DIR.
Abbott was president of the Michigan Agri-
cultural College he built it up in a marvel
ous degree, so that it WIS then, rs it is now,
regarded as the model agricultural college
in this country. 1t attracted students from
oil over the country, and visitors and those
who wished TO study Its methods, from
this country and abroad. DIR. Abbott
was also called to many states
to advise in the establishment of the new
agricultural and mechanical colleges estab
lshed BY the Morrill, Land Bill of 1862,
and then visited this State to consult with
the trustees of our State College in regard
TO its location and general management.
In all the time of DIR. Abbott's presidency
of the Michigan college, he enjoyed the
most abundant confidence of the Legislators
and people of that state. Earnest. straight
forward. sincere and conscientious IN the
discharge of his duties. he never appealed
to the Legislature in behalf of its agricul-
tural college, in vain. Indeed it was said
of him at this time that the successive Leg
islatures of that state had 80 high an opinion
of his character and such unbounded conf
dence in his plans and his ability to carry
them out. that they would give him
any amount of money he asked
for any purpose whatsoever; and
that Is why the agricultural college OF
Michigan is so noble an institution today
why Dr. Abbott will always live in it, and
why the people of Maine and of the countr,
should never forget him. Under the Nor
rill endowment bill the college received 4
fund of s23l ,6T0.52. invested FOR the main
tenance of the college, but as no part OF
this could be spent for buildings, DIR
Abbott had still to labor to erect
its necessary buildings every one OF
which becomes monument TO his sincerity
fidelity and high character. His contribn
tions to agricultural literature, are numer
Gus and able. and deserve to be COLLECTED
and published in a volume by themselves Al
q record of his life work. DIR. Abbott rem
dered valuable aid in the establishment O
the State experiment station. and VA
deeply interested in the general educa
tional system of State. Personally h
was modest, mild-maunered man
cultured and broad in mind. genial il
social intercourse. beloved by all. Ii,
lived to good Old age aud his memory ans
fame are secure 10 the splendid institution