Joseph B. Abbott, son of Daniel, was born in Surry, August 1, 1835. His grandfather, Daniel Abbott, settled in Surry, in 17- was a tailor, married Lucy Harvey, of Surry, in 1794, and reared four children. He went to aid in suppressing the outbreak near Lake Champlain in 1812, and was never heard from again. His son Daniel was a farmer, and was often called upon to do town business. Joseph B. fitted for college at Keene, went to Illinois, where he taught school, and then to Newburn, N. C., where he taught school about four years. After the war broke out he went to Washington, where he had charge of the Special Relief branch of the United States sanitary commission, and in 1868 he settled in Richmond, N. H., engaging in the manufacture of lumber. He has held various town trusts, including town representative in 1876, and was chosen county commissioner in 1874, which position he held three years. In 1877 he was appointed, by President Hayes, agent to the Ute tribe of Indians in Colorado, and resided at Los Pinos agency a little over a year, when he resigned and came to Winchester. He was soon after appointed to fill a vacancy in the board of commissioners, was elected to serve in 1882, and again in 1884. He married Lydia C. Martin, of Richmond, N. H., September 1, 1859, and has one son and one daughter, Leon M. and Florence S. The former is a graduate of the Keene high school. Mr. Abbott became a resident of Keene in 1880.
