W. J. ABBOTT, farmer ;P. 0. Urbana ;was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Jan. 13, 1836, and is a Son of James and Susannah Abbott. He was born in Pennsylvania June 21, 1816, and came to Ohio about 1823. His occupation was farming, which he followed in the above-named county, by renting farms, till1845, when he moved to Champaign Co., Ohio, and, in 1848, purchased 40 acres of land in Johnson Township. His first marriage occurred in 1835, with Susannah Slusser. She was also a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 3, 1816, and died Nov. 17, 1838, the mother of two Sons William J. and John, the latter deceased. In 1840, he married Matilda Veach. She was born in Virginia, Oct. 19, 1822. The fruits of this union were six chiidren, of whom five survive, vis., Sarah C., now the Widow Carmony, of Johnson Township ; Jesse and Margaret (twins), residents of this county ; Harriet, now the wife of Dr. George Tate, of Shelby Co., and David H., residing near Millerstown, Johnson Township. James Abbott departed this life March 27, 1853. W. J. received a common- school education and also attended the college at Delaware, Ohio, four terms in all. He commenced teaching in 1855, and followed that bnsiness about twelve years ;a part of this time he carried on farming also. He has served several years as Township Clerk. In 1867, he purchased 79 acres of land in See. 2, of Concord Township, and moved on it March 12, 1878. This was a very wet and rather wild piece of land, but, by considerable draining and clearing, he has made it among the best in the vicinity. Although a cripple, he is a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, and one also who commands the respect and confidence of all around him. On the 13th of May, 1858, he married Emily V. Compton, a native of Jefferson Co., Va., born Feb. 5, 1840. She came to Ohio with her mother in 1852 ;her father died prior to that time. W. J. and Emily V. Abbott are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living-Charles M., John H., Anna M., Minnie A., Emma Maude, Oma J.and Oro.