Degree Recipient

Life Experience

Russell Bigelow Abbott was born near Brookville, Indiana. His early life was passed in Indiana, where he received his education, graduating from IU in 1847. 

Abbott was licensed to preach in 1853 and ordained in 1857. After serving churches in Indiana for about ten years, he moved to Anoka, Minnesota in 1866. For three years, he engaged in teaching there and in St. Paul.

Abbott accepted a unanimous call to the church at Albert Lea in 1869. The growth of this church, which had just been organized, was remarkable. Beginning with just sixteen members, during the fifteen years of Abbott’s pastorate, three hundred and fifty were received into the church. He was pastor until 1884. In 1887, Yale College conferred upon him the degree Doctor of Divinity.

In 1880, under the direction of the synod of Minnesota, Abbott was responsible for the founding of Albert Lea College. He served as president of the college and board of trustees until he resigned in 1903.

Marriage and Family

In 1847, Abbott married his first wife, who died childless. In 1861, he married Sophronia Leech. She died in 1879 at age thirty-eight. In 1881, he married Marietta Hunter. She gave birth to son, Russell Bigelow Abbott Jr., in 1885. Marietta died in 1931. Abbott still has living descendants.

Interesting Anecdote

During his life, he preached 5,298 sermons, organized eight churches, and dedicated ten buildings. For many years he was stated clerk of Winona Presbytery, one year moderator of the synod of Minnesota, and six times chosen commissioner to the General Assembly. He was the author of the new office of administration in Presbytery for the supply and conservation of feeble and vacant churches, called “Pastor-at-large,” sometimes called “The Winona Plan”. He wrote and published The History of Winona Presbytery. He had nearly ready for publication two volumes of Bible History, which he designed for college study.

References

1. Wylie
2. Findagrave.com
3. IU Alumni Quarterly 1914 and 1917