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