Case School of Applied Science - Differential Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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HENRY Gi. ABBEY. TRUSTEE OF THE COLLEGE FROM T881 TO 1887. N E of the most important instruments in the plan- ning and organization of the Case School of CSQQJQ Applied Science was Henry G. Abbey. His emi- nent fitness for this duty, and the incidents of his education, training and association with Leonard Case, will appear from the following incomplete sketch. Henry G. Abbey was born in Watertoxxfii, Jefferson County, New York, in January, 1822. His father came with his family to Cleveland about the year 1830. Henry studied the classic languages and mathematics under Mr. Beattie, who prepared students for college, and then studied law in John Barr's office, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He then settled in the practice of law in Milwaukee, Wis., with Mr. Randall as his senior partner, and served as Clerk of the House of Representatives of Wiscoiisiii. In 1849 he went overland to California with a party from Milwaukee, and occupied several years in placer mining O11 the Sacramento and its tributaries, with success. There are old pioneers in San Francisco still living, who remember him with the warmest respect and love. . He returned to Cleveland in 1851, and, after assisting his father in the sheriifis oiiice, resumed his profession. As a Master in Chancery he was highly esteemed for his integrity, sagacity and learning in the law. In 1866 he was engaged by Leonard Case to become his business manager, confidential adviser and financial agent. From that time to Mr. Case's death in 1880, his ability, faithfulness, high accomplishments, advice and personal intimacy made him an inexpressible comfort to Mr. Case. And when the latter developed his project to found a scientinc school, he assisted, by his experience, practical knowledge and correspondence with scientists in this country and England, to perfect the plan. He was made the trustee to take lands which formed the foundation of the trust, and on the death of Mr. Case organized this corporation, The Case School of Applied Science, to which the title and ..15..

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MEMBERS OI: THE GORPORATION. JARVIS M. ADAMS, CHARLES W. BINGHAM, - J. TWING BROOKS, ALEXANDER E. BROWN, CHARLES F. BRUSH, WILLIAM CHISHOLM, JAMES D. CLEVELAND, JACOB D. COX, JR., STILES H. CURTISS, AMOS DENISON, - SAMUEL K. GRAY, JOHN C. HALE, T. P. HANDY, CHARLES A. OTIS, HENRY B. PERKINS, W. S. STREATOR, JAMES J. TRACY, - GEO. H. WARMINGTON WORCESTER R. WARNER, THOMAS H. WHITE, 1041 Prospect Street 707 Euclid Avenue 1 I5 1 Prospect Street IOO3 Euclid Avenue 779 Euclid Avenue 667 Prospect Street 339 Euclid Avenue, 621 Prospect Street, 2220 Euclid Avenue, 1749 Euclid Avenue 521 Euclid Avenue 8 57 Euclid Avenue 2 1 3Q Euclid Avenue 309 Euclid Avenue 1451 Euclid Avenue 1722 Euclid Avenue 1840 Euclid Avenue Cleveland Cleveland Salem Cleveland Cleveland , Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Painesville Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Warren Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland , Cleveland , Cleveland

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future administration was entrusted. He was chosen one of its Trustees, and continued such as Well as Secretary and chief agent of its fiscal affairs till his death in 1887. ' That no one contributed so much to the perfection and success of this great and beneficent project was apparent to all who knew him. He was an indefatigable student, and shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Case mastered all the knowl- edge of languages, mathematics and science, which tended to fit him for 'the great responsibility which had been imposed upon him. The Trustees, in assuming to execute the im- portant trust of establishing and maintaining a scientific school of this high standard, were largely dependent upon Mr. Abbey'slong association and knowledge of the founder's ideal, and they found him not only wise as a man of financial and business affairs, but a person fully equipped by experi- ence, observation and study, to determine the requisites of a truly effective and successful school of science. When its great calamity of fire came to bring dismay to the Trustees, his calm determination and hopefulness shown in his quotation from Prof. Huxley that 'fbricks and mortar do not constitute colleges and schools, and his own words, that the School still survived in its faculty and students, were contagious, and helped to fortify all who had the duty of restoration of the institution. He had the satisfaction of seeing this accomplished, but it was at the expense of his health, and he died in June, 1887, before he could see its full fruition as a school of applied science, but not before his faithful stewardship, his high attainments and his admirable traits had accomplished splendid results, to his great gratification and to the educa- tional distinction of the city in which he had spent the greater part of his life. Mr. Abbey married Miss Amelia Johnstone, daughter of Dr. Robert Johnstone, a leading physician of this city, who, with a son and four daughters, survived him. In his conversation, his humor and his reminiscences of travel and life in 'Wisconsin and California made him a most charming companion., His reading of both English and French literature enriched his thoughts and made his talk always entertaining and suggestive. He was exceedingly modest and retiring in habits, but his affections were strong and his hospitality delightful to his familiar friends. .,.16..