Isaac N. Abbott, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Concord, was born on Dimond Hill, January 4, 1835, son of Joseph S. and Esther (Farnum) Abbott. His grandfather, Samuel Abbott, one of the early settlers, locating near Long Pond, was a farmer, and passed all his life here, witnessing during eighty years many and great changes. A mere hamlet when he came, he lived to see Concord a prosperous and progressive town and to note the promise of its present largely developed industries. The Merrimac was then a pure mountain stream unspanned by bridges; and, instead of the unceasing hum of the great factories that now Samuel Abbott married Mary Story, and she became the mother of three boys and three girls, all of whom grew to maturity. Joseph S. was his eldest son. When only fourteen years of age Joseph ran away from home, and went to West Concord, where he remained until he reached his majority. He learned carpentry, and became one of the smartest tradesmen of Concord. He built the station of the Concord Railroad that was burned some years ago, and also the machine shop, which is still in use. In 1827 he came to Dimond Hill, and there spent the latter part of his life, dying at the age of seventyeight years. He married Esther Farnum, of West Concord, and became the father of two children: Almira F., now deceased; and Isaac N. Abbott.
Isaac N. Abbott was educated in the district schools and Hopkinton and New London Academies. After leaving school he successfully taught for four years in Hopkinton and Concord. Since then he has been a farmer, and has done quite an extensive business. In 1882 he built a fine barn, and ten years later he erected a substantial and well-finished residence. He has about thirty acres under cultivation, and besides carrying on general farming he does a large milk business. He married Martha Smith, daughter of Aaron Smith and Eliza Ann (Sherburne) Smith, of Portsmouth, and has three children-Almira F., Joseph N., and Helen S. Almira is now the wife of Alfred Clark, a Road Commissioner, and has two daughters-Esther F. and Mabel.
In politics Mr. Abbott is a Republican, and his first Presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont in 1856. He takes a warm interest in all public affairs, and has held numerous public offices of trust and responsibility. He was in the Common Council in 1864 and 1865, and was its President for one year. In 1875 he was Alderman, and in 1887 he represented the town in the legislature. He has been on the School Board for fourteen years, and he was school district clerk for forty years, probably holding that office longer than any other man in the State.
