California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 J. N. ABBAY. The Southern Pacific Railway Company has always been especially for- tunate in the selection of its employes, upon each of whom great responsibility, is placed, be he section hand, roadmaster, fireman, engineer or general superintendent of the road. Prominent among the oldest in point of service, and the most trustworthy of these employes, is J. N. Abbay, of Merced, well known to the patrons of the Oakdale branch of the road as engineer of a passenger train running between Merced and Stockton, the round trip covering a distance of one hundred and forty-four miles. An experienced railroad man, with a thorough knowl- edge of the mechanical construction and management of a locomotive, he is especially fitted for his position, and well deserving of the high estimation and regard in which he is held by his employers, and by the traveling public. A son of the late William Abbay, he was born December 13, 1847, m Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa. A native of Missouri, William Abbay learned the trade of blacksmith when young, and subse- quently settled in Maquoketa, Iowa, where he built up a good business. Crossing the plains to California in 1852, he was first employed in agricultural pursuits in Bodega, Sonoma county. Subsequently buying land near Geyserville, he improved a ranch, and there spent his remaining days. He was interested to some extent in fraternal societies, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In Anamosa, Iowa, he married Martha Lamson, who was born in New York state, and is now a resident of Fresno. Of their six children, one daughter has passed to the life beyond, and one daughter and four sons are living, namely: J. N., the subject of this sketch; Mary, residing in Idaho; George, an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railway, re- siding in Nevada ; John, a merchant in Missouri ; and William, of Oakland, this state. Living in Iowa until about nine years old, J. N. Abbay came with friends to California in 1856, coming via the Isthmus of Panama. Joining his father in Sonoma county, he attended the short sessions of the district school for a few years, in the meantime working for his father, or for neighboring ranchmen. Beginning life for himself when a boy of fifteen years, he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad company, working in the Sacramento shops before the road had been completed to the Summit. In 1866 he was made fireman, a position in which he continued two years. In 1868 he was promoted to the position of engineer, as such running an engine in Nevada before the driving of the golden spike. Continuing in Nevada for fourteen years, he ran from different cities, including Carlin, Winnemucca and Wads- worth. Returning to California in 1882, Mr. Abbay was first located in Oakland, becoming an engineer on the western division of the above railroad, with which he has been actively identi- fied as an engineer for the past twenty-two years, having charge of a passenger engine for seven- teen years, but for the past five years holding his present position of responsibility. During this time, Mr. Abbay has had one serious accident. In June, 1891, near Port Costa, in a head-end collision, his train was telescoped, and he was badly burned and scalded, his escape from death being almost miraculous, and his complete recovery from his injuries a surprise. In Truckee, this state, Mr. Abbay married Mary Henry, who was born in Tuolumne county, where her father, John Henry, was an early pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Abbay have one child, Will- iam H., who was graduated from the San Francisco Dental College with the degree of D. D. S., and is a successful dentist in Oakland. Mr. Abbay is identified with the Republican party in politics, and belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of Oakland.