Frederic Laurence Abel

M, b. 24 August 1855, d. 5 October 1943
Fredrick L Abel [Courtesy of Ray Henry - Find a Grave]
     Frederic was born on Friday, 24 August 1855 at Monroeville, Ohio. He was the son of Frederick Abel [12/22/1824 Landow, Bavaria, Germany-3/18/1904 Wayne Co., Michigan] & Nancy Dunn O'Cleary [3/16/1827 Monroeville, Ohio-4/02/1925 Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan]. They were married 2/26/1850 Ohio. She was the daughter of Thomas Clary & Eliza Minerva Williams.1 Frederic was a graduate of the Raff Conservatory of Music at Frankfurt on the Main; he studied under many distinguished musicians and instructors during his studies in Europe. He was known as a highly accomplished cellist.2,3 Frederic married May Elizabeth Leggett, daughter of Mortimer Allen Leggett and Jane Mais Whitehead, in February 1895 at Michigan.4 He was one of the first members of the Michigan School of Music faculty when it was reorganized in 1892. He was also the second director of the Spartan Marching Band of Michigan State. [1916-1918]. He served our country in the Spanish-American War.5,6 4 June 1900, Frederic and his wife, May, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 1477 Grand River, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Frederic L. Abel [44 Ohio - August 1855] & his wife, May E. [31 Michigan - May 1869]. They had been married 5 years. He is an instrumental music teacher.7 19 April 1910, Frederic and his wife, May, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 1900 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Frederick L. Abel [52 Ohio], his wife, Mary E. L. [40 Michigan], & servant: Julia S. Moore [64 Michigan]. They had been married 15 years with 1 child not living.He is working as a conservatory & she at a school.8 5 January 1920, Frederic and his wife, May, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at an apartment at 3079 Grand Blvd. West, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Frederic L. Abel [55 Ohio] & his wife, May L. [48 Michigan]. They are musicians & teachers.9 1940, Frederic and his wife, May, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 55 Puritan Avenue, Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Frederick L. Abel [70 Oho - Barvaria & Ohio] & his wife,May E. [56 Michigan]. He works for the orchestra. He was 26 uears old when first married and she was 22 years.10 Frederic departed this life on Tuesday, 5 October 1943 at age 88 years, 1 month and 11 days. Frederic was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.

Family

May Elizabeth Leggett b. 1 May 1869, d. 26 Aug 1952
Child

Citations

  1. [S33] 1880 United States Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan - Frederick Abel [55 Frankfort, Germany], His wife, Nancy [52 Ohio - Ireland & Ireland], daughter: Mary Brown [26 Ohio][married], granddaughter, Elsie Brown [8 months [September] Michigan] & Frederick [24 Ohio]. Frederick is a musician & his son is a musical student. [Enumeration District 273, sheet 2b, line 2]
  2. [S42] Albert Nelson Marquis, The Book of Detroiters: a biographical dictionary of leading, living men of the city of Detroit

    , page 13 - Abel, Frederic Laurence, musical director; born Huron Co., Ohio; son of Frederic and Nancy (O’Cleary) Abel; educated in public schools of Milwaukee, Chicago, and Detroit; was instructed in music by his father, Fredric Abel, and at Dr. Hoch Conservatory of Music, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany . . . Served as clerk in office of R. G. Dun & Co. Milwaukee; removed to Detroit and acted as shipping clerk in wholesale grocery house of John Stephens, 1873-75; entered upon an extended course of studies in music and spent several years in Europe, returning to Detroit , 1881; instructor Detroit Conservatory of Music. 1881-1900 organized the Michigan Conservatory of Music Sept., 1900, of which is director, secretary, and treasurer.
  3. [S45] Findagrave.com, Frederic L. Abel was a graduate of the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt am Main where he studied under the renowned Joachim Raff.

    The following is from a brochure from the Michigan Conservatory of Music in Detroit:
    "Frederic L. Abel is justly known as a highly accomplished cellist. He is a graduate of the Raff Conservatory of Music, at Frankfurt-on-the-Main, where he was the classmate and enjoyed the personal friednship of many who have since become distinguished, including Edward A. MacDowell, the American composer and pianist. Mr. Abel completed his studies with Cossman, cello; Urspruch, piano, and Raff and Boehme, harmony, theory, counterpoint, and history of music."

    Frederic Abel was among the first faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music when the school was reorganized by Dr. Albert A. Stanley in 1892. In addition, Mr. Abel was the second director of the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State University (1916-1918).

    Frederic Abel enlisted as a member of Co. A, 1st Battlion, Michigan National Guard; he held the rank of major and adjutant general, 1st Brigade. He also served in the Spanish-American War as a 1st lieutenant and adjutant in the 31st Michigan Infantry. He was a member of the Society of Foreigh Wars. He was a Mason (32 degree), a Knight Templar, and a Shriner..
  4. [S42] Albert Nelson Marquis, The Book of Detroiters: a biographical dictionary of leading, living men of the city of Detroit

    , page 13 - married at Detroit, Feb. 1895, May Leggett.
  5. [S42] Albert Nelson Marquis, The Book of Detroiters: a biographical dictionary of leading, living men of the city of Detroit

    , page 13 - Enlisted as member Co. A, 1st Battalion, Michigan National Guard; has been continuously in the service and holds rank in the guard of major, and adjunct general, 1st Brigade; served in Spanish-American War as 1st lieutenant and adjutant 31st Michigan Infantry Republican. Member Music Teachers’ National Association, Mason (32 degree), Knight Templar, Shriner. Member Society of Foreign Wars. Recreation: automobiling and farming. Office: 1020 Woodward Ave. Residence: 1900 Woodward Ave.
  6. [S29] Note, Michigan State Marching Band: Director - Frederic Abel 1916-1918 [spartanband.net].
  7. [S35] 1900 United States Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan - 12th Ward, Enumeration District 141, sheet 4, line 78.
  8. [S36] 1910 United States Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan - 1st Ward, Enumeration District 20, sheet 3b, line 71.
  9. [S35] 1900 United States Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan - 2nd Ward, Enumeration District 83, sheet 3b, line 77.
  10. [S38] 1930 United States Federal Census, Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan - 10th Precinct, Enumeration District 82-990, sheet 11b, line 86.
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