Prominent among the public officials in Monterey county, is Francis A. Abbott, city treasurer and tax collector of Salinas. He is influential in commercial and financial circles, and may be credited with contributing effectively in a sound and permanent way toward the rapid and steady development of this promising section of the great Golden state. A native son always proud of his association with the California commonwealth, Frank Abbott was born at Point Reyes, Marin county, March 16, 1862, the son of Carlisle S. and Alice Elizabeth (Merriman) Abbott, both natives of Ontario, and now deceased. Twice the father made trips across the great, untracked plains to California, traversing the continent first in 1850, and then making his way across a second time two years later. He was lucky in his mining adventures on his first visit here, and this enabled him to return east and bring his bride, whom he had just married. He followed agricultural pursuits in Sacramento and Marin counties, and carried on cattle-raising and dairying. Coming to Salinas in 1866 he continued in the same line and prospered. He served two terms in the state legislature as a republican member and there demonstrated his public-spirit and his ability in several directions. Five children were born to him and his wife, and three are still living: H. E., Francis A. and Mrs. Charles Guberson.
Francis A. Abbot attended the Salinas schools, and then pursued an excellent course at Heald’s Business College in San Francisco. At the age of sixteen he started to work for wages, drove a team, clerked in a butcher shop, with his brother and also performed day labor on a farm. In 1880 he removed to Tombstone, Arizona, and for nine years was in the dairy business there. In 1889 he returned to Salinas, spent some time on the ranch, and then was with his brother in the butchering business. With Tom Joy he later bought the butcher shop and after a while purchased his partner’s interest and continued the business alone. Next he was secretary of the Salinas Meat Company, but sold his interest in 1921, since which time he has withdrawn from business affairs.
Mr. Abbott has been more than ordinarily active in public life and enjoys a record for service highly creditable. He was mayor of Salinas for a term and was also city clerk. He was appointed recorder to fill an unexpired term and later was elected to that office. He served seven years and perfected the modern system of accounting now in use in the county recorder’s office, being the most complete system in the state. For two terms he served as school trustee, and one term as president of the board.
Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Annabel Forster, who was born in Chico, Butte county, California, but reared in Salinas, and four children blessed their union. Charles Eldon, a plumber of Orland; Chester J., in Kings City; Russell M., with the Shell Oil Company, and a daughter, Mrs. D. L. Shaw. Mr. Abbott followed in his father’s footsteps as a member of Salinas Lodge, No. 204, F. & A. M.; Salinas Chapter No. 59, R. A. M.; and Chapter No. 47, O. E. S. He likewise belongs to Salinas Lodge, No. 614, B. P. O. E. Loyalty-one of his marked characteristics-is manifest in all his fraternal relations as well as in the discharge of his official duties.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.