Source: North Manchester Journal, April 5, 1894, Obituary:

THE GRIM REAPER. Death of Rev. George Abbott, one of the Early Settlers and Prominent Ministers of this County.

Probably there was no one more widely known and more generally respected in this section than the late George Abbott, whose death occurred last Friday after an illness of only short duration. He was one of the very few of the remaining early settlers and was during his lifetime a prominent figure in the history of this part of the state. Being a man of intense patriotism and high moral ideas he was indefatigable in carrying out whatever work he undertook. Our acquaintance with Mr. Abbott began in 1856, and has been of an intimate character during the last twenty years. It was during the exciting times of the war that he displayed his courage and love of country that gave him his greatest notoriety. His loyalty no one questions and his love of right all will concede. The Christian church is indebted to him for the building in which its members worship in this city more than to any one man. His energy and perseverance made its building a possibility. It is a fitting monument to his memory. The following sketch of his life and account of the funeral has been handed us:

Rev. George Abbott was born in Preble county, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1817; deceased March 30, 1894, aged 76 years, 6 months and 12 days.

He was a son of James and Catherine Abbott. Both belonged to the Christian church. When George was born he was nursed by and dandled upon the lap of a christian mother. In 1834, when George was 17 years old, his father moved to Kosciusko county, Ind., where he helped his father to clear up a farm in the green woods.

He was married to Nancy Barrett Aug. 24, 1838, and immediately moved to Chester township, Wabash county, four miles east of North Manchester, and commenced making a farm for himself.

Under the labors of Rev. Peter Banta in 1842, he and his wife Nancy united with the Christian church and George immediately commenced preaching, and was ordained in 1844 by Rev. H. Barber, Joseph Roberts and 'Squire Wood. He then entered more fully upon the work of the ministry. Although the country was new, the people poor and the minister's support but a mere pittance, he undertook the double task of clearing up a farm and preaching the gospel, preaching nearly every Saturday and Sabbath. The first three years he received 25 cents. He was present at the organization of Eel River Christian conference. George and his brother levi were the first licensed ministers who joined the conference. His pastoral labors were chiefly confined to the Eel River Christian conference, of which he was a member for fifty years. He was present at fifty annual conferences and nearly all of the called sessions. I note the following from his journal: "I have been a member of the Eel River conference ever since its organization, and expect to remain a member as long as I live," which pledge was kept sacred and inviolate to his last breath. In all he organized some 20 Christian churches, and preached mostly to the churches which he organized. By the grace of God he was a self-made man. He held 13 theological discussions with representative men of the several bodies to which they belonged.

His first wife, Nancy Abbott, deceased March 14, 1888, at her North Manchester home. She was a dear, kind mother to all who came under her charge. To them were born 8 children, 4 dead and four living. Reuben Abbott died in April, 1843, Angeline Abbott died in April, 1861, Lewis Abbott died April 19, 1862; fell while in the service of his country of a fever at Tiptonville, Tenn. His remains were returned home for interment. Mahlon Abbott died July 29, 1863; fell while in the service of his country of camp disease at Marietta, Ga. His remains were interred at Marietta.

His second marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett took place Dec. 12, 1888, with whom he lived happily up to the time of his death. She took the best of care of him during health and sickness up to his last breath. Theirs was a pleasant home, which home it was my happy privilege to enjoy for a time, in which I found comfort.