Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Taylor; Samuel Augustus, a resident of
Stamford, Connecticut; Walter Sher-
man, a merchant in Gananoque, Canada;
George Edward, of whom further ;
Min-
nie, wife of Albert P. Russell, of Philadel-
phia. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were active
members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, Mr. Abbott serving as class
leader, trustee and superintendent of
Sunday school, and Mrs. Abbott active
in the women's organizations.
George Edward Abbott, son of Elijah
Edwards and Mary Jane (Buell) Abbott,
was born in Gananoque, Province of Ontario,
Canada, November 16, 1864. He
was educated in the public schools in the
vicinity of his home, learned the trade of
machinist with his father and worked for
him until he was twenty-one years old.
He then came to the United States and
located in New Britain, Connecticut,
where he secured a position as machinist
and toolmaker for the Case Engine Com-
pany, remaining in that capacity for five
years. He then entered the employ of
the firm of Yale & Towne, at Stamford,
as machinist and toolmaker, but at the
expiration of one year left that concern
and became an employee of the firm of
Brown & Sharpe, at Providence, Rhode
Island, where he remained for a short
period of time. He then changed his
place of residence to Hartford, Connec-
ticut, and worked for a short period of
time as toolmaker for Colt's Patent Fire
Arms Manufacturing Company. He then
became an employee of the Sigourney
Tool Company, with whom he remained
for five years, then changed to the New
Departure Manufacturing Company of
Bristol, which he served for ten years,
the last six years as master mechanic.
While in the employ of this company they
added to their line the manufacture of
balls for ball bearings, and Mr. Abbott
designed the special machinery for mak-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
151
ing this product. He then decided to
engage in business on his own account
he rented a small room on Hicks street,
installed a few machine shop tools,
designed and drafted his own special ma-
chinery and had made the necessary patterns
for casting; when he had completed
the building of his equipment, he made
five hundred pounds of balls and went out
on the road and sold them. He then
came back, made more balls, went out
and sold them, and continued in this way
until he secured sufficient business to
justify adding the services of a boy as
helper. From that time to the present
(1917) business has steadily increased in
volume and importance. He occupied
rented quarters until 1912, when he moved
into his own factory building located in
Elmwood. Each year an addition to the
factory building has been necessary in
order to meet the growing demands of
his trade, and they give employment on
an average to about ninety men. Special
machinery, that is the last word in auto-
matic machinery in this line, is designed
by Mr. Abbott, and the product is sent all
over the world. In addition to being a
most skillful artisan, Mr. Abbott is an
able executive and business man. He is
progressive in business, yet careful that
he is right before forging ahead, and
these qualities have been active factors in
the success which has crowned his efforts.
He is domestic in his tastes, preferring to
devote his leisure time to his home and
family, quiet, unassuming, courteous,
willing to aid to the best of his ability
every project that tends to advance the
interests of the community. He is a member
of Franklin Lodge, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons ; Pequabuck Chapter,
No. 32, Royal Arch Masons ; Ionic Coun-
cil, Royal and Select Masters, of Bristol,
Connecticut.
Mr. Abbott married, September 16,
;