Abel Harwood's Beliefs and Character

A final photo of Abel Harwood taken from his funeral memorial book which was on December 30th, 1891.

Abel Harwood was a Republican voter who was also very grounded in his Orthodox faith in the Divine inspiration of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. He grew up with a Baptist upbringing due to his mother’s faith, and he himself attended a Presbyterian church while his wife was Baptist. He was very active and well known in his church community, never missing a service. 

He famously held the idea that “minding his own business” was key to the success of his work and career, claiming that it would benefit anyone else no matter what line of work they pursue or even if they are retired. 

Harwood’s real happiness was not in his work or in his land, but with his family. His home-life is where his character shined and the “charm of his character” truly came out. He was deeply devoted to the interests and happiness of his wife and children, being a strong believer that his success and happiness was “due to the instinctive counsel of woman”. 

A piece of an envelope saying “Mon Amie” from Abel Harwood to his first wife Mary Batcheller. He sent her a flower from a bouquet he received from a friend.

Additionally, Harwood was widely admired for his “stately form and dignified mien” along with his “modest manner” that “naturally attracted attention”. In his memoriam, a dear friend of his noted that “it partook of the spirit of Him who ‘went about doing good’”.  Abel was also remembered as a person who was both large in size and heart, being over 6 feet tall and having quite a funky hairstyle! 

While Harwood was highly respected by his peers, community, and family, it must be recognized that during his life he was openly anti-suffragist. Living in Champaign half a century before women gained the right to vote, it is recorded that Abel Harwood once delivered a lecture titled “Against Woman Suffrage”. Though he tenderly loved his wife and children, he held the belief that women should not have the right to vote and equal rights to men.