The Washington times., 1908-10-09
Died Early Today at His
Home at Ripe Old
Age.
FUNERAL SERVICES
NOT YET ARRANGED
Many Mourn Loss of Gallant Vet
eran and Faithful Govern
ment Servant.

Gen. Ira c. Abbott, eight-four years
cid, who has served the United States
almost continuously for over fifty years,
as postmaster, as collector OF internal
revenue as officer in the Union army
and more lately as an emplOye Of the
Pension Bureau, died early this morn
Ing at his home. $40 Thirteenth street
northwest, Of the innrmlties of old age
General Abbotts death was not IN
expected. He had been i'll since the
early part Of the summer, but continued
to work at the Pension Bureau until
July 10, when he was compelled, by an
attack of neuritis, TO abandon his du-
ties. His wife and his daughters, Mrs.
Hattie Z. Blight. Of Chicago. and Mrs.
John Mitchell of 1893 Columbia road.
were present AT the deatnbed. Tae
only other surviving relative. Charles
+. Abbott. 4 son. who lives at EIdOn.
Iowa, was notified Of the seriousness Of
his fathers sickness, but could not
reach this city. owing TO an injury Of
his own which prevented his undertake
ing the Journey
Funeral Not Arranged.
While the funeral arrangements have
not been completed, it is probable that
services will be held on Sunday or
-ADl0dN- AtA4tLdl <ADDOAA WIS IA lLltLLl-
Der of the congregation of he Church
of Our Father, Thirteenth and L streets
northwest. and the funeral sermon Will
be preached by the Rev John Van
Schaick. pastor Of that church The
interment Will be in Arlington. and the
body viii be laid away in that great
resting place for soldiers, with all the
honors due the dead mans rank
General Abbott was born December IA.
1924, at Burns, y. Y, but when a boy
OF ten years, his father removed 10
the West settling in Michigan, then
far out on the fringe Of our civiliza-
tlon. Young Abbott was educated at
the public schools Of Buchanan, Mich.
and at Elkhart, Ind.
At the latter place, after quitting
school. ne made his first start in bust
gess. and entered the service of an in
StltutiOn, which in those days was both
bank and general store.
Starts in Business.
After a few years at EIkhart young
Abbott struck ont for himself and.
choosing the commission business. set
UP in quite a large way at Burroak,
Mich, where for several years he pros
pered. He was appointed postmaster of
BurrOak some tine before the outbreak
OF the civil war. but resigned that posi-
ton and all other business affiliations
when hoSuhties began.
Imbued with a martial spirit, young
Abbott started out on-his own recruit
ing. and IN a short time he had en-
rolled enough men to make a company
and he was Immediately elected captain.
The company was mustered in as a part
OF the First Michigan Infantry.
General Abbott served all through the
war, being wounded four times. includ-
ing a pad wound in the leg at the sec
Ond battle Of Bull Run. and one in the
face at Gettysburg. Neither Of these
wounds. however. kept the young officer
long out Of the fight and he was pro-
NOTED grade at a time from the cap
taincy Of his company 10 the cOlOnelCy
Of the regiment In January. 1863 Just
few months before Lee surrendered
at AppOmatOX, Colonel Abbott was
forced 10 retire from active field service
and was detailed TO Washington. After
the war ended, however. he participated
In the grand review in the Capital. and
he was brevetter brigadier general, for
his splendid record
Returns to Michigan.
After the war General Abbott re.
turned to Michigan and was made a
collector Of internal revenue. He did
not remain long in this position. how
ever, but quit it and came TO Washing.
ton, where he entered the financial
division Of the Pension Bureau where
he has served continuously and faith
fully ever since.
General Abbott was a member Of B
3. French Lodge, Free and Accented
Order Of MasOns. Burnside Post. G.. A
R; the Loyal Legion. and the 1. O
o. F. of BurrOak. Mich. He was also
president Of the Michigan State AsSO-
citation Of the District and member OF
the L. 5. Grant Circle, No. 1.
He was well known through his Ions
service in this city, and his dealt
caused regret 10 his many hundreds o,
friends and acquaintances.