Biographical Information and Younger Years
Abel Harwood was born on November 23rd, 1814 in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. His father served in the Revolutionary War, and his brother served in the Civil War. Abel himself, however, was a successful businessman, landowner, farmer, and family man.
Harwood was a self-made individual who paid for his own education and expenses, requiring very little financial support from his father. Upon graduation, he pursued a teaching career. During his younger years, Abel worked on his father’s farm and as a store clerk until he was 17 years old. He went to Amherst College in 1841 but was inconsistent in his schooling, taking several years to graduate as he also worked full-time.
Abel Harwood married twice. He married his first wife , Mary D.Batcheller on August 4th, 1841. They were married for 15 years, until Mary died in 1856. They had 6 children together, 3 of which died before Abel.
Two years later, Harwood married Isabella D. Boyd on June 22nd, 1858. Isabella was Abel’s companion in all affairs of his life until his death in 1891.Isabella herself died 11 years later on December 10th, 1902 in their South State Street home in Champaign. They had 5 children together, however they all died before Abel, one of their children dying before they were given a name.