Yuba-Sutter County CA Archives Biographies.....Abbott, Alexander Franklin 1829 - 1905 ************************************************ 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: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 6, 2012, 1:10 am Source: See below Author: Peter J. Delay ALEXANDER FRANKLIN ABBOTT.— The name of Alexander Franklin Abbott is inseparably associated with the development of California's great fruit-growing industry; and in his passing, Sutter County lost one of its most honored pioneers and most effectual builders. His life-history is proof of the fact that it is under the pressure of necessity that the best and the strongest in an individual are developed, for he came to the State a poor boy, and rose to an enviable position of leadership as a horticulturist, winning success in the highest sense of the word. Alexander Franklin Abbott was a native of the East, having been born at Busti, near Jamestown, Chautauqua County, N. Y., on August 1, 1829. His father, Harry Abbott, was born in Rome, Oneida County, in 1800; and as a youth, he served in the latter part of the War of 1812. He became a prominent educator in New York, and made his residence at Kennedyville until his death, in 1876. Grandfather Abbott was named Nathan. The Abbott family traced its ancestry back to the Puritans, through members who served with honor in the Colonial and Revolutionary Wars. Harry Abbott married Louisa Bostwick of New York, whose mother, named Evans before her marriage, was of Scotch descent, and was related to a prominent New York family. Alexander Abbott received a good education in the schools of New York State, and followed farming there until 1852. Then, when twenty-three years of age, he made the venturesome journey to California, coming by the Isthmus of Panama route. His financial resources were extremely limited, but he possessed the valuable assets of ambition, energy and perseverance, and with these he worked and won. He found employment in Marysville, and later made his way to Redwood City, and in San Mateo County he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1858 he purchased from General Sutter a tract of 610 acres of land on the Feather River, near Star Bend, in Sutter County, thus becoming owner of a portion of Hock Farm, in the New Helvetia grant. On that ranch he built a two-story house, a part of which was constructed of lumber brought around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel; and a part of the old home is still standing, being one of the oldest landmarks in Sutter County. In 1881 Mr. Abbott planted some peach-pits, and two years later he set out about sixty acres to fruit trees. From three-year-old trees he gathered 200 tons of fruit; and later he planted more trees, until he had 425 acres of orchard, thus becoming owner of what was at that time the largest peach orchard in the world. The Phillips cling-stone peach was originated in this orchard by Joseph Phillips, who was employed as a nurseryman by Mr. Abbott; and in consequence the Abbott orchards became still more famous throughout the country. With notable foresight, Mr. Abbott was able to perceive the great possibilities of the fruit industry, and he established a packing-house and a drying-plant upon his ranch, conducting his operations upon a very extensive scale, and shipping to the East fresh and dried fruit in carload lots from a Southern Pacific Railroad spur at Abbott Station. He also raised olives and all varieties of deciduous fruits, and his exhibit at the State Fair, 1894, was awarded a gold medal, the first gold award given for the most meritorious display of horticultural products. Mr. Abbott was a man of vision, far in advance of the times, and his opinion on matters pertaining to horticultural science was regarded as authoritative. He acquired large landholdings in Yuba County, which are also still in the possession of his family. Mr. Abbott was also interested in the Marysville canneries, and his highly intelligent and forceful cooperation was a potent factor in that undertaking. In 1858, Mr. Abbott married Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Twaite) Spinks, a native of London, England, who came to California in 1850. The union proved a happy one, and was blessed with the birth of three children, only one of whom, however, survived. This is their daughter, California E., now the widow of the late John Hale, a well-educated and cultured gentleman, born at Winchendon, near Boston, Mass., who after coming to the Pacific Coast, was a prominent railroad contractor of San Francisco and Portland, Ore. They had three children: Mary Elizabeth, John Franklin, and Calla Abbott. Mrs. Hale and her family are exerting a healthful influence for high ideals and good citizenship, thus carrying out old family traditions; and they are also active in developing the natural resources of the country, being; engaged in horticulture and farming, and taking a prominent part in the civic and social affairs of the county. Mrs. Hale is a charter member of the Woman's Improvement Club, and the Marysville Art Club, and with her daughters she is a member of the Eastern Star. The daughters are also members of both clubs, Miss Mary Elizabeth having been the first corresponding secretary of the Marysville Art Club, as well as active in the Woman's Improvement Club. She was also chairman of the Canteen of the Yuba-Sutter Chapter of the American Red Cross during the World War, while Miss Calla's activity in the Motor Corps, particularly in the shipment of clothing to Belgium, France and Rumania, was appreciated to the extent that she was commissioned a captain. John Franklin Hale was a member of the Coast Artillery, and was stationed at Fort Rosecrans, and he is now looking after his mother's orchards. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner. Mrs. Hale has many valuable relics of the early days, including an autograph of General Sutter, and a facsimile of his cattle-brand. Alexander Franklin Abbott was a prominent and influential man in various walks of life. In his religious views, he was a Baptist; and politically he was a stanch Republican, and was influential within his party. In local public affairs, he took a deep and helpful interest. He did much to aid the building of the levee in District No. 1, of Sutter County, and he also served on the board of directors of the State Agricultural Society. He was a member of the Masonic order, and belonged to Corinthian Dodge, No. 9, F. & A. M.; he adhered closely to the beneficent teachings of that organization, and he was buried with Masonic honors. He reached the ripe old age of seventy-five years, his demise occurring on March 11, 1905. Born to look the world straight in the eye, unafraid of men or of conditions, he marched at the front in that hardy band of pioneers who prepared the way for the oncoming generations and by their labors made possible the marvelous development of the present day; and in so doing, he exemplified in his character all that is most admirable and desirable in citizenship, and left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His esteemed widow, beloved by a large circle of devoted friends, survived him until March 9, 1914, when she was called to her final rest, at the fine old age of eighty-seven. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, and belonged also to the Eastern Star. She was a woman of wonderful initiative and unusual capabilities, and the community at large held her in enviable memory. It will be many a year before the pleasant traditions and helpful influence of this exceptionally worthy pioneer couple fade from the annals of the county and the State, for whose broad and permanent development they exerted themselves so energetically, continuously and successfully, thereby setting an inspiring example to the younger and the future generations. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF YUBA and SUTTER COUNTIES CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the Counties Who Have Been Identified with Their Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY PETER J. DELAY ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 1924 Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/yuba/photos/bios/abbott1112gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yuba/bios/abbott1112gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 8.6 Kb