Abbott, Amos

Born: 1786-09-10 Andover, Massachusetts

Died: 1868-11-02 Andover, Massachusetts

Abbott attended the district school in Andover and Bradford Academy. From 1812 to 1822, he worked as a merchant, highway surveyor, and clerk. He served in a variety of local offices in Andover in the 1820's. He was one of the founders of the Boston and Portland Railroad in 1833, serving as director from 1833 to 1841. He won election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving in 1835, 1836, 1837, and again in 1843. He won election to the Massachusetts Senate, serving from 1840 to 1842. Voters elected him to the U.S. House of Representatives, as a Whig, where he served from 1843 to 1849. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1848, and resumed his mercantile pursuits. Abbott served as postmaster of Andover from 1849 to 1853.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 551.