for the office of United States senator.

Judge Abbott was on the staff of Governor Marcus Morton. In 1853, he was
a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, which consisted so largely
of men of exceptional ability. In the debates and deliberations of this
convention, he took a conspicuous part. In 1835, he was appointed judge
of the superior court of Suffolk County. He retired from the bench in
1858, having won an enviable reputation for judicial fairness and
acumen, and suavity of manner, in the trial of cases, which made him
deservedly popular with the members of the bar who practised in his
court. In the year following his retirement from the bench, he removed
his office from Lowell to Boston, where he has since resided, practising
in the courts, not only of this Commonwealth, but of the neighboring
States and in the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1874, he was
elected a member of Congress, from the fourth congressional district of
Massachusetts. He was chosen by his Democratic colleagues of the House a
member of the Electoral Commission, to determine the controverted result
of the presidential election. When the gravity of the situation, and the
dangers of the country at that time, are taken into account, it is
obvious that no higher compliment could have been paid than that
involved in this selection; a compliment which was fully justified by
the courage and ability which Judge Abbott manifested as a member of
that commission. It should have been mentioned before, that, in 1838,
Judge Abbott married Caroline, daughter of Judge Edward St. Loe
Livermore. After what has been said, it is scarcely necessary to give a
summary of the prominent traits of Judge Abbott as a man and a lawyer.
The warmth and fidelity of his friendship are known to all such as have
had the good fortune to enjoy that friendship. He is as conspicuous for
integrity and purity of character as for professional ability. As a
citizen, he is noted for patriotism, liberality, and public spirit.