Abbey, Aaron L. 1840 -

ABBEY, BRAY, RANDALL, INGRAHAM, BROCK, BRADLEY, WINSHIP, KENNEDY, BROCK

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/13/2014 at 21:35:06

Aaron L. Abbey was actively engaged in the insurance business in Decorah until spring, 1913, retiring in his seventy-third year from a line of work with which he was continuously identified here for the past forty-six years. For many years he traveled as representative for various companies but later confined his activities more to local business. He also was closely connected with the agricultural development of this section, being still the owner of a large farm in Decorah Township and has, moreover, a distinguished war record to his credit, having prominently participated in the great conflict between north and south, discharging his duties in a valiant and faithful manner.

Born near Armada, Macomb County, Michigan, on December 22, 1840, Aaron L. Abbey is a son of William and Mary Ann (Bray) Abbey, the former of whom was born in the eastern portion of Vermont on June 19, 1803, and the latter in Ontario County, New York, on December 20, 1806. The father was of Scotch-English and the mother of English and Dutch stock. A carpenter by trade and also a farmer, the father removed to Ontario county, New York, with his parents when twelve years of age. There he was married on February 9, 1827, and, giving evidence of the traditional family spirit of enterprise, moved two years later westward to Macomb County, Michigan, settling on one hundred and sixty acres of land. He remained there actively engaged in wresting a farm from the virgin country until 1861, when he sold out to good advantage and returned to Ontario County, New York, purchasing a small farm upon which he remained until his death in 1868. The mother had previously passed away on the farm in Macomb County, Michigan, on November 3, 1853, and is buried there.

Aaron L. Abbey is the youngest of nine children and the only one now living. Reared among pioneer conditions, he took good advantage of the educational opportunities such as were offered in the public schools of Armada, Michigan, at the time, and, when fifteen years of age, removed to Waupun, Wisconsin, where he continued his education, attending school during the winter months. Having lost his mother when but thirteen years of age he made his home in Waupun with an old friend of his father on a farm, assisting in the operation of the place. In 1862 he returned to Armada, Michigan, and on August 15, of the same year, enlisted for service in the Civil war with Company A, Fifth Michigan Cavalry. On November 1, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant in Company L, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and on June 16, 1864, promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He received his honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, on May 15, 1865. Air. Abbey participated in a number of the principal battles of the war, never faltering in the performance of any duty, however arduous, however hazardous. His valor, his zeal, his devotion awakened and inspired courage in the men who served with and under him and his record was one of conspicuous gallantry. He was captured on August 3, 1864, in the Stone-man raid from Atlanta to Macon and taken to Macon prison, being subsequently removed to Charleston, South Carolina, thence to Columbia, that state, and last to Raleigh, North Carolina, undergoing all the hardships and terrors of captivity.

After being mustered out Mr. Abbey returned to Michigan and in June, 1865, came to Decorah, Winneshiek County, on a visit to his brother. Local conditions appealed to him and perceiving the opportunities the future held in store, he purchased land in Orleans Township, this county, and engaged in farming. Ill health, however, prevented a continuance of this occupation and he soon disposed of his property, engaging in the insurance business, with which line he was continuously engaged for forty-six years. He acted, as special agent for various companies until a few years ago when he gave up the work on the road to devote himself entirely to the local business, which he recently turned over to his son E. R. Abbey. The many years of connection with business in Decorah have proven his worth and the name of Mr. Abbey is highly respected in commercial circles of the city.

On November 28, 1865, Air. Abbey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Randall, a daughter of Felix and Marie (Ingraham) Randall, natives of Ohio and the former a prominent farmer of Macomb county, Michigan, in his days. Mrs. Abbey was-born in Richmond, that state, October 23, 1841, and died on February 28, 1891, at Decorah. In 1893 Air. Abbey married again, his second union being with Airs. Minnie B. Brock, a daughter of George C. and Charlotte (Bradley) Winship. The father was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and the mother in Summit County, Ohio. He removed to the Buckeye state when a young man and there married, coming in 1845 with his wife to Winneshiek county, Iowa, among the earliest pioneers and purchasing a large tract of land near Decorah. He was a tinner by trade and when he first located in Decorah worked in the tin shop of a Mr. Bradish. Later he established a wood yard in Decorah and then followed farming until fourteen years ago, when on account of failing health he sold out and started west. He died at Tekoa, Washington, April 14, 1898, and is buried there. The mother had preceded him in death, passing away in Decorah, November 29, .1891, finding her last resting place in this city. Mr. Winship was prominent in public life in Decorah, having served as mayor of West Decorah and as county supervisor for a number of years. He was chairman of the bridge committee in that connection and also a member of the school board. Airs. Abbey is a native of Decorah. Air. Abbey by his first wife became the father of the following children: William F., born in Decorah, October 15. 1866, who is a traveling insurance agent and still makes his home here; Arthur L. born October 31, 1868, who died August 26, 1869; Etta M., born April 17, 1871, the widow of E. E. Kennedy, of Perry, Iowa, now making her home with her parents; and Edward R., born December 15, 1873, also engaged in the insurance business in Decorah. To the second marriage of Mr. Abbey was born one daughter, Nellie B., on December 9, 1894, a junior in the Decorah high school. Mrs. Abbey also had a child by her former marriage, Lancelot Brock, who was born in Decorah in 1883 and now makes his home in Wallace, Idaho.

Carrying onward the traditions which decided him to offer his services to his country at the time of the Civil war, Mr. Abbey has always voted the Republican ticket and stanchly supports its platform and candidates. He has never sought the limelight of public office but has contented himself with fulfilling his obligations as an American citizen in a private way, giving an example of high-mindedness and public-spiritedness by a life record free from the glamour attaching to political position. He keeps alive the spirit of '61 as a member of the Grand Army post of Decorah and is also prominently connected with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge and Royal Arch Chapter of Decorah, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Lodge, No. 73. Both are also members of the Congregational church, in the work of which they take a helpful interest. As prosperity has come to Mr. Abbey he has invested in county realty, being the owner of a farm on sections 16 and 17, Decorah Township, from which he derives a gratifying income. Viewed from every angle, the life record of Mr. Abbey is one which would be a credit to any man, as his attainments are worthy of notice, his loyalty to his country worthy of exemplification, his characteristics worthy of praise, and he rightfully occupies a position in the community which begets him the respect, good-will and confidence of high and low, young and old.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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