Sacramento Valley Biographies

John F. Abel Sr. 

Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, March 2009

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


           John F. Abel Sr.  The thrifty and frugal characteristics of the
Germans usually bring them a fair degree of success in whatever locality
their industrious efforts centralize. Especially is this the case when they
settle in a climate where Nature proves a kindly friend. Given the
opportunities afforded by California and the energy and perseverance of the
Teutonic race, and a prosperous community is always established. In the list
of German residents or Colusa county perhaps none has met with a greater
degree of success than has rewarded the painstaking ambitions of John F.
Abel, Sr., a pioneer of 1869 in the county where he still makes his home,
and one of the most prosperous citizens of Williams.
          Mecklenburg-Schwerin is Mr. Abel's native place, and there also
were born his parents, John Frederick and Mary (Prosch) Abel, both of whom
were members of Lutheran families of the province. During 1852 the parents
and children sought the larger opportunities afforded by the United States.
They made the voyage across the ocean on a sailing vessel and after
debarking at New York proceeded to Chicago, and from there to Wisconsin,
settling on a farm near Fond du Lac, where the father and mother remained
until death. Of their six sons and four daughters, one son and one daughter
are deceased. Only three of the family came west of the Rocky mountains and
one of these, Charles, makes his home in Spokane Falls, Wash., while George
H. lives near Maxwell, Cal. The other, John F., is a resident of Colusa
county, Cal., and forms the subject of this narrative. He was the eldest son
in the family and was born May 1, 1828. The education acquired in German
common schools gave him a sound foundation on which to build the fortunes of
later years. With his parents he experienced the monotony of the long voyage
from Hamburg to New York in 1852 and with them he remained one winter in
Chicago, then settled on a farm near Fond du Lac, Wis. Later he had charge
of the land and superintended the crops.
         The year 1859, which brought thousands of young men to the Rocky
mountain regions, found Mr. Abel eager to try his luck in the gold mines of
Pike's Peak. With three others he started on the journey, taking provisions
sufficient for a year, and having two wagons with eight oxen and two cows.
On reaching Omaha he found many discontented and discouraged miners
returning and the reports they gave caused a change in his plans. Impressed
with the idea that it would be useless to stop at the mines he and his
companions pushed on across the plains, via the Lander's cut-off, to
California, where they landed after a weary journey of six months. A short
experience at mining in the Siskiyou country convinced him of the futility
of such work and he then secured employment by the month. In the spring of
1861 he returned to Wisconsin via Panama and New York, landing in the latter
city on the day Fort Sumter was fired upon. On reaching home he took up farm
work and continued in the same locality until May of 1867, when he brought
his wife and child to California by way of  the Isthmus. After a short time
in Napa county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Solano county,
but sold the property in 1869 and bought three hundred and twenty acres five
miles northwest of Williams, Colusa county, where he made a specialty of
raising grain. By the purchase of adjoining tracts from time to time as his
means permitted, he gradually acquired large landed possessions and now owns
about three thousand acres. For some of the property he paid $47 per acre,
but the larger portion was purchased at lower prices. One of the special
features of the land is a grove of trees, one hundred and thirty feet tall.
A neat residence was occupied by the family until their removal to town in
the fall of 1903. The out-buildings were suited for the storage of grain and
machinery and the shelter of stock, while water was secured by means of
windmills and gasoline engine.
         The marriage of Mr. Abel, July 27, 1856, united him with Miss
Christine M. Herman, daughter of Bartel and Effie (Phaff) Herman, all
natives of Saxony. During 1849 Mr. Herman brought his family to America and
settled in Wisconsin, where he was a pioneer farmer of Dodge county. Both he
and his wife remained in Wisconsin until their death. In their family of ten
children, Christine, the youngest, was born May 28, 1837, and at the time of
crossing the ocean was twelve years of age. From that time she lived in
Wisconsin until her removal to California, her death occurring in this state
June 18, 1905. The ten children born to them are as follows: Franklin H., a
farmer of Colusa Co.; Mrs. Laura M. Galloway, of Sonoma Co.; George L., who
cultivates farm land near Williams; Mary S., wife of George Kearth, a
resident of Colusa; Mrs. Hattie C. Rathbone, of Williams; Henry H. and John
F., farmers; Dorothea A., who makes her home with her parents; William E.
and Melvin D., who are agriculturists. It is worthy of note that the six
sons are tillers of the soil, following in their father's footsteps in
energetic application and keen foresight. Into their hands the father has
given the supervision of his large estate, and under their capable
supervision the soil is kept in a high state of fertility. From 1869 until
his removal to town in 1903 Mr. Abel officiated as school director in his
district and did much toward building up the school, increasing its
facilities and promoting its usefulness. In politics he votes with the
Republican party.
           The success that has rewarded Mr. Abel's efforts is commensurate
with his industry and perseverance. Always a hard-working man, he had the
good fortune to possess a constitution unusually robust and rugged, and the
most arduous labors left no effects other than temporary weariness.  For
years he did the work of two men, yet his stalwart frame and sturdy physique
suffered not. The further advantage was given him of a resolute character, a
determined will, that hardships failed to weaken. With these attributes,
supplemented by a desirable location where soil is fertile and property
possesses a rising value, he has won his way to a success that is as
gratifying as it is deserved.

"History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the
Sacramento Valley, California," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1906,, Pages 342-343.