Stanislaus County CA Archives Biographies.....Abbott, Charles Stuart August 17, 1857 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com May 19, 2011, 7:39 pm Source: History of Stanislaus County, California (1921) Author: George H. Tinkham "CHARLES STUART ABBOTT. A public-spirited citizen of California who proved one of the real stand-bys in the great fight for irrigation in the Modesto district and who now, after heroic endeavor involving even long[er] contests in the courts, finds his reward in the Stanislaus plains blooming like the rose, is Charles Stuart Abbott, secretary of the Modesto Irrigation district. He was born near Sheffield, in Bureau County, Ill[inois], on August 17, 1857, the son of Cyrus H. Abbott, who was born at Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., in 1835. When seventeen years of age he came to Bureau County and there married Miss Martha Grunendyke, who was also born in Monroe County. Her father, Abraham Grunendyke, served in the War of 1812, and was descended from old Knickerbocker stock, prominent in New York. On the Abbott side the family may trace its ancestry back to the Mayflower, three brothers Abbott having come from England to Massachusetts in 1620. Cyrus Abbott was a farmer in Illinois; and when, in August, 1862, he responded to the call of his country, he enlisted in Company H, 93rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and eventually took part in important battles, among them the Siege of Vicksburg and Champion Hill. He was also in the Georgia campaign, taking part in the battle of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Altoona Pass, Kennesaw Mountain, after which he marched with Sherman on his famous drive to the sea. His regiment lost so heavily in numbers that only 260 were left to tell the tale. Luckily, he was one of them, and he was mustered out in June, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge. Although originally a private, he was commissioned first lieutenant of his company for distinguished bravery on the battlefield. After the war, Mr. Abbott returned to his family and resumed farming; and in 1868 he removed to Montezuma, Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he farmed until 1872. In that year he brought his family to San Joaquin County, near Stockton, and there continued to follow farming until 1878, and then he came to Stanislaus County, where he engaged in grain farming on the Hickman ranch, near Turlock. At one time he farmed as many as three thousand acres to grain; later he purchased a farm six miles west of Modesto, having one hundred sixty acres, and these he improved. At an early day and much in advance of most of his co-laborers and competitors, Mr. Abbott saw the importance of irrigation for the soil and as a means toward intensive farming, and he became deeply interested in having the Modesto Irrigation District organized, a movement productive of the greatest blessings to the entire county and other sections. In 1905, Mrs. Abbott passed away, lamented by all who had been privileged to know her, and Mr. Abbott sold his ranch and has since made his home in Modesto with the subject of our review. Four children had blessed their union, and besides Charles Stuart, there are Charlotte F., Minnie C. and Frank W. Abbott. The first named is now Mrs. Elfers of Alameda; Minnie has become Mrs. Hamilton of Visalia; and Frank resides in Seattle. Mr. Abbott is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and also of the Knights of Pythias. Charles Abbott was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa, as well as in California; for he came here in 1872. Having completed the grammar school courses, he attended the Stockton high school, and then the Stockton Business College, where, in addition to the commercial courses, he pursued a course in telegraphy. On his graduation, in 1878, he came to Salida, in Stanislaus County, and there was made railroad agent and operator for the Southern Pacific. He also engaged in general merchandising, and was postmaster from 1881 to 1887. In the fall of 1886, Mr. Abbott received the Republican nomination for the office of County Recorder and Auditor, and he was elected by a majority of 135 votes. He was the third Republican ever elected in the county, which then had a Democratic majority of at least 700 to be overcome; and he took office in January, 1887. He served a two-year term until January, 1889, and after that, with Charles Maze, Jr., he engaged in the abstract of title and general insurance business. Later they discontinued abstracting, and for many years Mr. Abbott continued selling insurance. Although they dissolved partnership, Mr. Abbott still has the agency of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, and the Insurance Company of North America. In 1891, Mr. Abbott was elected secretary of the board of directors of the Modesto Irrigation district, then in existence for four years; and he has since continued in that office, to the satisfaction of everyone, having been appointed each succeeding year. So identified was he with the great work from its inception, that all the early records of the district are in his handwriting; but for the last four years he has preserved them in typewritten form. He has five 640 page note books in his own hand. From 1893 to 1901, there was a long period of constant litigation respecting the Modesto Irrigation District, and during this period he received no pay for his services in the cause; consequently, while he thus worked gratuitously, he was chief deputy in the county assessor's office, and from twelve to fifteen of the assessment rolls are in his handwriting. During all this time, however, he continued to perform most conscientiously the trying duties of secretary of the Modesto Irrigation District, and they finally won their case in the Supreme Court. Then began the real work of the irrigation enterprise, on which account he has since given all of his time to the work, and has spared no pains to afford the best irrigation service possible to Stanislaus County and neighboring sections. Nonpartisan in every way in supporting every good movement for local improvement, Mr. Abbott still ardently espouses Republican political principles. At Modesto, in 1889, Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Mary Louise Elmore, who was born near Salida, Stanislaus County, and is a sister of Professor A. G. Elmore, the present county superintendent of schools. Mr. Abbott was bereaved, however, of his faithful and loving wife in November, 1915, a lady of accomplishment who was a decided favorite with many. One son, Elmore Stuart, blessed their union. He was born in Modesto, graduated from grammar and high school, then entered the University of Nevada, taking the electrical engineering course and was graduated with degree of Electrical Engineer in 1915, after which he did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin for one year. He was married in Madison to Marie Vourcier Dunfield, and is now practicing his profession at Tracy. Mr. Abbott is a member of Wildey Lodge No. 149, I. O. O. F., where he is a past grand, and from which he has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge; and he is also a member of Modesto Encampment No. 48, I. O. O. F., and he belongs to Rebekah Lodge. He is, too, a member of Modesto Lodge No. 81, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor, and he belongs to Modesto Lodge No. 1282, of the Elks, and also to the Orange Assembly, United Artisans." END Additional Comments: "History of Stanislaus County, California" by George H. Tinkham Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1921 Biographical sketch of Charles S. Abbott on pages 568-569. Portrait of "C. S. Abbott" on unnumbered page between pages 568-569. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/stanislaus/bios/abbott1098gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 8.0 Kb