California Biographies

CHARLES M. ABBOTT. Probably no man near Mountain view has made his influence felt 
in greater degree as an establisher of beautiful home places than Charles M. Abbott, at present 
owning an ideal cottage surrounded by ideal grounds on the corner of Alike avenue and 
Front street. Mr. Abbott has three acres in his place, and all that the landscape artist has at 
his command has been utilized to produce a representative California retreat. A true lover of 
nature, and appreciative of its beautiful influences, this honored citizen has improved his op- 
portunities in a rare way, understanding well his materials and offering an example of what 
may be accomplished when ability is combined with judgment and good taste. 

Born on a farm near Boscawen, Merrimack county, N. H, May 11, 1843, Mr. Abbott passed 
his childhood and youth in a neighborhood rich in memories of his paternal grandfather, Joseph, 
who enlisted in the Revolutionary war when sixteen years old in Colonel Peabody's regiment, 
and in return for services rendered received the soldier's warrant with which he purchased the 
land near Boscawen. On this same farm Joseph, the father of Charles M., was born, also three 
of his older sons, and lived there until the family was dispersed by their various ambitions. 
Joseph and his wife, formerly Mary Elkins, also of New Hampshire, were the last to leave the 
old place, coming to California in 1875, and settling in Oakland, where both died, the former 
in 1877, at the age of eighty years. The four sons of this couple were educated primarily in 
the public schools of New Hampshire, and Charles M. outlined his future by serving an ap- 
prenticeship to a carpenter near the home place. In Concord, N. H., he married Emma Bailey, a 
native of Franklin, N. H., and daughter of Simeon and Nancy (Bachelder) Bailey. Mr. 
Bailey was a cabinet maker by trade, and learned to do fine finishing work on pianos and other ex- 
pensive furniture, but his promising career was cut short at the early age of thirty. 

In the fall of 1861 Mr. Abbott gave vent to a long-thought-out project and embarked in a 
sailer with prow turned toward the south seas, and, going around Cape Horn, arrived in San 
Francisco April 28, 1862, after an adventurous journey upon the deep. Beginning in a small 
way he followed his trade in San Francisco, and gradually worked up a large business as builder 
and contractor in the vicinity, extending his operations to Oakland and other near-by towns. 
He remained a resident of the metropolis until 1885, meanwhile making five trips back east, 
during one of which he brought his wife to the coast. Locating in Mountainview in the fall of 
1885, Mr. Abbott engaged in carpentering and building and also bought a small place and set 
out an orchard. This place was improved and cultivated and sold, and since then four others 
have come under his capable management, each passing to some one desirous of profit by his 
taste and skill in improving upon and developing natural resources. His methods have been 
stimulating to others settling in the community, and his example of thrift and enterprise has been 
reflected in the homes of many of his fellow townsmen. Besides his home place, he is the 
owner of other properties in the town, both residence and business, from which he derives a 
substantial income. Mr. Abbott is a stanch Republican, but aside from the formality of casting 
his vote has never been identified with the local undertakings of his party. He is highly respect- 
ed for his success and public spirit and for the integrity which has made his word as good as 
his bond. 

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

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm