Preceded by Lewis R. Fiske Succeeded by Edwin Willits Died November 7, 1892 | Name Theophilus Abbot Spouse(s) Sarah Merrylees | |
 | ||
Born April 29, 1826
Vassalboro, Maine ( 1826-04-29 ) Children Mary Monat and Joseph Rodney Alma mater Colby College
University of Michigan Education University of Michigan, Colby College | ||
Theophilus Capen Abbot (April 29, 1826 – November 7, 1892) was born in Vassalboro, Maine, and spent his early life in Augusta, Maine.
Life
At the age of fifteen he entered Colby University (now Colby College) at Waterville, Maine. He graduated in 1845 and received his A.M. degree from Colby four years later.
After receiving the A.M. degree, Abbot taught in Vermont, at the Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine, at Colby University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and at the Union School in Ann Arbor. In 1858, Abbot accepted the Professorship of English Literature at the State Agricultural College. He also served as the treasurer of the college in 1860, and as secretary pro tempore of the State Board of Agriculture in 1861 and 1862. He then served as the President of the State Agricultural College from 1862 until 1885.
On July 5, 1860, Abbot married Sarah Merrylees, a teacher at the Union School in Ann Arbor, and had two children: Mary Monat (b. January 10, 1863; d. March 20, 1903) and Joseph Rodney (b. March 30, 1865).
In 1890, he received an LL.D. degree in 1890 from the University of Michigan.
Abbot Hall (attached to Mason Hall) in the Michigan State University's North Neighborhood is named in his honor, as is Abbot Road in East Lansing, Michigan.