Abbott, Archer Penn 1822 - 1901

ABBOTT, CALLBREATH

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/9/2012 at 13:39:04

Postville Review, Sept. 27, 1901.
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Archer Penn Abbott, the subject of this sketch, was born at Milford, New Hampshire, Dec. 6th, 1822.

In 1834 he moved, with his parents, to Amhurst, N.H., and, in 1842, went to New York City, where he resided nearly all the time untill the year 1868, when he came to Postville, Iowa, and bought a place which now constitutes the family home.

Mr. Abbott, during his residence in New York was engaged in active business live as a bookkeeper in a wholesale house and for some time as an active partner. He was married in 1858 to Esther A. Callbreath, to whom was born four children, Agnes, Hortense, Emily Louise, and one nameless flower who only came to greet its parents and take its departure to a better world. Only one now is left to fill the measure of the mother love.

Mr. Abbott was a man who commanded the confidence and respect of the entire community. possessed of an inherent honesty and integrity of character his standard of action never varied from the direct line of rectitude. His gratitude for kindness show him was deep and touching. His convictions of duty in the public or private relations of life were strong and clear and he never trifled or compromised with their dictates.

As an official of our school board for twenty-one years , and most of that time as its presiding officer, he was untiring diligent and vigilent in seeing that every interest was cared for, and every detail attended to. He was possessed of a keen sense of the humerous and was ever ready to find an opportunity for expanding his wit, but never at the expense of misfortune.

We do not know what his religious views were as he was not disposed to say much on that subject but there is good reason to believe that he had an abiding faith in the immortality beyond this life.

A very touching and pathetic scene transpired on the morning of his death when the companion of his life said to him, and taking him by the hands, and while he could neither see nor speak, "Archer, if you have the desire to be with those who have gone before ns and the faith to believe that you will be, and be of those whom the Redeemer has accepted, make it known by pressing my hand." Instantly the response came. His countenance seemed to brighten of as if by a magic light, a tremor seemed to pass through his whole frame as the pressure came on the hand in his, strong and responsive. He had given his answer, though mute and silent.

Mr. Abbott was taken sick about ten days ago, from a cold which settled on his lungs and developed into pneumonia. For a time it seemed as if he would recover, as the crisis appeared to have passed, but his vitality was so nearly exhausted that there was not enough left to react, and the brittle thread was broken. All that medical skill could devise or friends assist were of no avail. He died at about 5 o'clock p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21st.

And so another friend and neighbor, husband and father has left us. A good man has departed and, who are left, it is "Only waiting till the shadows are a little longer grown."

Our sympathies go out to those who are called to mourn and whose home has been saddened by this bereavement. May they be sustained by the everlasting arm.

The funeral services were held from the house at 2:00 o'clock and at the church at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Pollard and assisted by Rev. Parker.

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As published.

Submitter is not related.

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