xii OBITUARY NOTICES. 



nothing more was expected to occur. When, however, a year or 

 more thereafter Abbe had moved to Cincinnati, he learned with 

 pleasure and surprise that his selection for the observatory had been 

 suggested and promoted by the flattering representations of his ac- 

 quaintance of the transatlantic trip. Abbe, it seems, has recited this 

 story chiefly to his own sons, with the admonition that thus they 

 may see the benefits resulting from kindness and courtesies shown 

 to the elderly. 



Professor Abbe's wedded life began May lo, 1870, in his mar- 

 riage to Frances Martha Neal, daughter of David Neal, a, resident 

 of Cincinnati. The children of this union were three sons, all born 

 in Washington, D. C, namely: Cleveland Abbe, Jr., born March 25, 

 1872, married Frieda Dauer ; Truman Abbe, born November i, 1873, 

 married Ethel W. Brown ; William Abbe, born June 27, 1877, 

 married Louisa Hart Howson. The mother was a woman of 

 strong character and personality with simple home-loving tastes, 

 opposed to shams, frivolities and ostentations, always hungry for 

 knowledge and intensely proud of her home and children, to whose 

 rearing and education she gave her love and assiduous attention. 

 In this she enjoyed the complete and earnest support of her devoted 

 husband. 



At an early period of his life in Washington he purchased 

 an old and historic residence with great rooms and lofty ceilings, 

 located at 2017 I Street, N. W. Here for many years with simple 

 but sincere and hearty hospitality he entertained visiting scientists 

 and others of his acquaintance, always availing himself of such 

 opportunities to increase, if possible, his stores of knowledge by 

 questions and discussions of scientific topics. A frequent visitor to 

 the house in the earlier days when the boys were at home writes in 

 a recent letter: "I have always had a most delightful impression of 

 Prof. Abbe as the head of a family. He was always full of fun and 

 delighted in the pleasure of his children and their friends, or of any 

 guest who came into his house. I never saw him in any mood 

 except one of kindness and cheerfulness. All that I can say is to 

 confirm what all his friends already know — that no man of such 

 learning and such great scientific activities has shown a gentler dis- 

 position and kindlier heart than Professor Cleveland Abbe." 



