Leon Abbett (October 8, 1836December 4, 1894) was an American Democratic Party politician and lawyer who served two nonconsecutive terms as the 26th Governor of New Jersey from 1884 to 1887 and 1890 to 1893. His official state biography refers to Abbett as "undoubtedly the most powerful person in New Jersey in the late nineteenth century" and "the first urban-oriented governor" of New Jersey. He was popularly known as the "Great Commoner" for his advocacy on behalf of ordinary citizens, He failed in two attempts to win election to the United States Senate. His classmates included Henry George and Ignatius Donnelly. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Personal life

Abbett married Mary Briggs of Philadelphia on October 8, 1862. Mary was the daughter of Philadelphia judge Amos Briggs. They had two sons and a daughters.

References

Further reading

  • Richard A. Hogarty, "Abbett, Leon. "Encyclopedia of New Jersey. 2nd ed. 2004.
  • Douglas V. Shaw, The Making of an Immigrant City: Ethnic and Cultural Conflict in Jersey City, New Jersey: 1850–1877. New York: Arno Press, 1976.
  • Lincoln Steffens, "New Jersey: A Traitor State." McClure's Magazine 24 (April 1905): 649–64.
  • The Record of Leon Abbett ... as Assemblyman, Senator and Governor. Jersey City: Heppenheimer, 1889.
  • Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1967.
  • New Jersey Governor Leon Abbett, National Governors Association
  • Dead Governors of New Jersey bio for George C. Ludlow