J. H. Abbott, farmer, Clay Township, was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, March 10, 1830. He is one of four children, born to Elias and Nancy (McComas) Abbott.
His father was a son of William L. Abbott a native of New Jersey, where he married Elizabeth Nayler and from thence in an early day, immigrated to Dearborn County, Indiana, where he afterward resided until his death. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Harrison, Enoch, William N., Mary, Eliza A., Hartzell, and Elias, the father of our subject, the eldest member of the family.
He was born in New Jersey, February 3,1812, and came with his parents to this county when a small boy. He and the above Nancy McComas, were united in marriage in this County, and afterward settled on the same farm on which our subject now lives. she was born September 8, 1815.
In 1867 they moved to Dillsborough where he died January 28, 1869. His widow still survives, and resides at Dillsborough. Their children were Mary A., James H., Elizabeth A., and Sarah F. J. H., our subject, enlisted in the service August 11, 1862, in Compsny B, Eighty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and served until June, 1865 at which time he was discharged, and returned to Dearborn County where he was married December 24, 1866, to Emma L., daughter of Nathan, and Sarah (Powell) Smith. She was born in Clay Township, this county, October 22, 1846.
After our subject's, marriage, he first settled at Dillsborough where he clerked in John M. Hoover's store until November, 1868 at which time he purchased an interest in the store, which they continued together until spring of 1871, when he sold out his interest in the store and moved on the farm where he at present lives, and has since resided. They have had born to them three chidren, namely: Orrin M., L. A., and Charley E. Mr. Abbott os a fine man; is a member of the G. A. R., also the Masonic Order and Odd Fellows.
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Source of this article "HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA"-1885
SUBMITTED BY: John Minneman