ABERCROMBIE.ABERNETHY.
by side with an authenticated copy of the original. When the company was formed for the extension of telegraphic communications from Washington to New York, Mr. Abell was associated with Prof. Morse and others in the enterprise. In 1878 he transferred the management of the Sun to his sons, Edwin F., George W., and Walter R. Abell, the last named died Jan. 3, 1891, leaving the firm of A. S. Abell & Co., with only two members. Mr. Abell died in Baltimore, Md., April 19, 1888.
ABERCROMBIE, John Joseph, soldier, was born in Tennessee in 1802. His early education enabled him to pass the examinations necessary for admission to the U.S. military academy at West Point when sixteen years old. He was graduated with the class of 1822 and advanced by regular promotions to adjutant, serving in the 1st infantry eight years. His captaincy was gained in 1836. The Florida war gave him active service, notably at the battle of Okeechobee, where his gallantry won the brevet of major. Afterwards his regiment was in the west until the Mexican war called him to Monterey, where he was severely wounded and gained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His next service was at the siege of Vera Cruz and afterwards at Cerro Gordo. While in Mexico he was made aide to Gen. Patterson. He was in Minnesota when the civil war broke out, and was ordered to Virginia, where he served in the Shenandoah campaign, being conspicuous at the battle of Falling Waters, where he led the Federal troops. His promotion to brigadier-general of volunteers followed, and his next battle was Fair Oaks, where he was wounded, but did service at Malvern Hill and on McClellan's retreat to Harrison's Landing. His next post was in defence of Washington in 1862-63. In 1864 he opposed Hampton's Legion, and at the close of the war was brevetted brigadier-general in the regular army, retiring June 12, 1865. He died at Roslyn, Long Island. N.Y., Jan. 3. 1877.
ABERCROMBIE, Richard Mason, clergyman, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1822; son of the Rev. James and Marie (Mason) Abercrombie, and grandson of Margaret (Bennett) Abercrombie. His father, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 26, 1758, was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1776, was a merchant and subsequently a P.E. clergyman, Philadelphia, 1794-1832, received the degree of D.D. from the college of New Jersey in 1804, and died in Philadelphia, Pa., June 26, 1841. Richard Mason was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1840 and at the General Theological seminary, New York city, in 1843. He was assistant and rector of churches in Philadelphia, 1843-63; rector of St. Paul's church, Rahway, N.J., 1863-71, and of St. Matthew's church, Jersey City, N. J., 1871-84. He founded the Clergyman's retiring fund society, 1874, and Christ hospital, Jersey City, incorporated the same year. He was for several successive general conventions a deputy from his diocese. He received the degree of D.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1865. He died in Jersey City, N.J., Dec. 7. 1884.
ABERNETHY, Alonzo, educator, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, April 14, 1836. He removed to Illyria, Iowa, in 1854, served in the 9th Iowa volunteers, 1861-65, attaining the rank of colonel, and participated in forty battles, being wounded twice. He was graduated at the University of Chicago, A.B., 1866, A.M., 1869. He was a representative in the Iowa legislature in 1866: principal of the Baptist college at Des Moines, Iowa, 1870-71, and a member of the board of trustees from 1871. He was state superintendent of public instruction in Iowa, 1871-76; president and professor of intellectual and moral philosophy in the University of Chicago in 1876, and principal of Cedar Valley seminary at Osage, Iowa, from 1881.
ABERNETHY, Arthur Talmage, educator, was born in Rutherford college, N.C., Oct. 10, 1872; son of the Rev. Robert Labon and Mary Ann (Hayes) Abernethy. He learned telegraphy when nine years old, and worked in various offices in the United States and Mexico until he was prepared for college at the Chafman school. He was graduated at Rutherford college, A.M. in 1889. He was professor of Latin in the college, 1887-90, having passed his A.B. examination in 1887, but was refused the degree on account of his youth. He took a post-graduate course in Latin and Greek in Johns Hopkins university as an honorary Hopkins scholar, 1890-91, and received the degree of A.M., from Trinity college, N.C., in 1891. He returned to Rutherford college as professor of Latin and Greek in 1891; edited the Telegrapher, 1895-97; was biographical writer on the Philadelphia Record, 1897-99: and was a newspaper correspondent during three years' travels in all parts of the United States. He became known as a humorist, and was given the name of '"the New Bill Nye" by Edgar Wilson Nye, who was his friend and adviser. He published "Bertie and Clara" (1896); and "Mechanics and Practice of Electric Telegraph" (1891).
ABERNETHY, Robert Labon, educator, was born in Lincoln county, N.C., April 3, 1822; son of Turner and Fannie (Wedner) Abernethy. His father was a farmer and his first ancestor in America was John Abernethy, a near kinsman of the eminent English surgeon. He was brought upon the farm and had no school privileges. He gained a knowledge of English grammar from a second-hand text-book, and taught children in the neighborhood, extending his teaching as he gained further knowledge from such books as he
