The Biographical Dictionary of America/Abbott, Joseph Carter

ABBOTT, Joseph Carter, senator, was born at Concord, N. H., July 15, 1825. After being graduated from Phillips Andover academy, he was admitted to the bar in 1853 and began practice at Concord, at the same time editing the Daily American. In 1855 he was made adjutant-general of New Hampshire, and as head of the state militia thoroughly reorganized the service. In 1859 he became the editor of the Boston Atlas, a journal of note. Soon after this he was appointed a commissioner for running the boundary line between New Hampshire and Canada. When the civil war broke out he entered it as lieutenant-colonel of the 7th regiment New Hampshire volunteers, and for his services during the war, notably at the storming of Fort Fisher, where he commanded a brigade, he was brevetted brigadier-general. After the war he removed to Wilmington, North Carolina, and was elected United States senator from that state for the term ending in 1871. Subsequently he held the offices of collector of the port of Wilmington under President Grant, and that of United States inspector of ports under President Hayes. He died at Wilmington, N. C., Oct. 8, 1882.