Researching ABBOTT families in Christian County. JAMES ABBOTT b. 13 Feb 1835 Salem, NJ, son of William and Abigail (Steward) Abbott. Educated at the public schools of that State, and in 1855, went to St. Louis, Missouri and took a position as clerk in the retail dry goods house of J. C. Havens & Co., for whom he worked until 1862. He then came to Springfield, MO, and engaged in the mercantile business with Wm. R. Gorton until 1871, when he was elected county collector upon the Republican ticket, and served until 1874. He was appointed county treasurer in 1864, but declined to serve, but was regularly elected to serve in 1866, and held that office until 1868. In 1865-66, was city treasurer of elected to serve in Springfield. He was elected secretary and treasurer of the Springfield Iron Works in 1875, which is now the Springfield Foundry and Machine Shops. He was mayor of the city in 1881, and chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee of this district in 1882. Abbott was married January 30th, 1866, in New York city, by the Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, to Mary E., daughter of Timothy C. Wooley, Esq. Their union was blest with seven children, six girls and one boy, of whom six are living, one daughter dying in infancy. He and his wife are members of the Calvary Presbyterian church, and be is one of the trustees. His mother died in New Jersey in 1874, and his father is still living at Brighton, IL From the many positions of honor and trust that Abbott has held, it is the best evidence that no man in Greene county has a better hold upon the affections of the people than he. Source: Biographies, Chapter 29, History of the City of Springfield (741)