JAMES S ABBOTT.  Was born September, 1811, in Canton, Connecticut, and removed to this County in 1816 with his parents and seven children. His father, Samuel Abbott, also born in Connecticut, was a man of large moral influence and universally respected. His mother, Lois Ives, daughter of Captain James Ives, was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  The subject of this sketch, one of the best known residents and most influential citizens, began his business life as a clerk in a large retail store, with the usual stock
for country trade, at Worthington, Ohio. In 1835 he associated himself in Columbus, with a large grocery house. In 1842 he was chief clerk in the Columbus Post Office.
In 1845 he engaged in the hardware trade. From 1872-'76 he served, most acceptably, as chief clerk of the Franklin County Courts. In 1879 he resumed the hardware business
under the firm name of J. S. Abbott & Company. Although of advanced age, Mr. Abbott is active and in possession of all the unusually keen, mental faculties for which
he has ever been noted.  Columbus, since he came here has developed from a village into a cosmopolitan city of imposing proportions. and he has given substantial aid in promoting
its growth and progress. It is almost needless to add that he commands the respect of the entire community.
Source:  Franklin County at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century - Compiled and Published by the Historical Publishing Co., Columbus, Ohio - Page 161