Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-07-12
Mr.. John W. Abby Passes Away.

Mr.. John W. Abby, a prominent citizen OF
Staunton and who, for nearly thirty years,
was the leading clothing merchant in the
Valley, died at his home on Frederick street
Monday night, in his 65th year. He had
been an invalid for some years, but his death
came unexpectedly Early in the night his
daughters asked if he would have some one
stay in the room with him, but he declined +,
saying if he needed any body he would strike
on the floor with his cane. Later in the
night he gave the signal, and when his
daughter came up asked her for drink of
water. Alter drinking it, he laid back and
died without a struggle
Mr.. Abby was born in Maryland and be-
gan his business life In Washington. He
had beautiful tenor voice and there were
few entertainments for charitable purposes
which he was not sought for to aid. He
went to Baltimore where he engaged with
Shipley, Roane & Co., the largest clothing
house in that city. In 1857 MIR. Roane sent
him to Staunton to open the business, the
firm style being Roane u Abby. His loca-
ton was under the Virginia Hotel for a
while, and then across the street from 1t,
where he remained for many years, doing
the largest trade in clothing outside OF the
large cities. As in Washington, his voice
was ever in demand; he was the leader of
the choir of the old First Presbyterian church
now used as the Augusta Female Seminary
chapel; was prominent at every charitable
concert, and formed the old Stonewall Band
orchestra He engaged extensively in the
municipal life of the city, was member OF
the City Council for many years; was a
member of the Water Committee that built
the present water works; was director in
the National Valley Bank, and held other
positions. His partnership with MIR. Roane
only lasted short time, when Mr.. Abby
branched out for himself and did the largest
business done in the Valley. He would have
died wealthy man but tor his generosity
in this business, generosity which LED MN
to give credit to almost any man that asked
it. 1t is estimated that when he quit bust
ness some twelve years ago he had $4,000
worth of worthless claims on his books.
Mr. Abby, in 1869, married Miss Augusta
B. Fultz, the fourth daughter of Judge David
Fultz. She died some ten years ago, leaving
four daughters-Mi Madge, Libbie, Ger
trude and Virginia, and two sons, Louis F.
Abby, of Texas, and and John w. Abby, Jr.,
of New York.
His funeral took place on Wednesday after
noon from the First Presbyterian church, OF
which he had been for many years Deacon.
The services were conducted by the pastor,
Rev A NJ Fraser. The following gentle
men acted as pail bearers. f. Tannehill,
| d. A Kayser, ii l.. Hoover, III A. Walker,
| S. f. Prison, w A. Burke, j. Ii. Backley,
Arista Hoge, j. A Templeton and Dr. II.
II. Henkel.
There have few gentler, more unselfish
or more helpful lives ended in this COM
munity than that of John w. Abby. Gener-
Gus even to his own hurt, the poor, worthy
or unworthy, always found friend in him.
He was Christian gentleman, a true friend
and loving husband and father. Ill health
had taken him away from the active walks
of lite for years, but 1t had not taken him
away from the memory of the community
which will remember and miss him.
Staunton Va) Vmdicator, 5th instant