Monday, April 13, 2020

Milliron Monday: Abbott Pliny Smith 1853-1943


Abbott Pliny Smith 1853-1943
Dr. Smith's Great Grandfather
Photo Courtesy Westport Historical Society

Abbott "Pete" Smith, D.V.M.
June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010


“…no one had a clue that the butler’s perfectly-coiffed
 headpiece was not his own hair.”
From Abbott P. Smith’s Journal, Thanksgiving, 1927 
Read the entire story here.


Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017). A graduate of Colorado State University and a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, Dr. Smith continues to motivate and inspire. 

Last Monday I shared a newspaper article about Dr. Smith’s great grandfather and namesake, Abbott Pliny Smith. A fascinating story of perseverance, Abbott was certainly a character of distinction, leaving a legacy for the Smith family.

The Westport Massachusetts Historical Society records additional information about Abbott – his success and contribution to New England history. They share several photos, including a cartoon of Abbott at work. 

Cartoon illustrating Abbott Smith’s industrial and business interests
Photo courtesy Westport Historical Society

In July 1920, Abbott purchased the Handy House, a current historical site preserved by the Westport Historical Society. You can read more about the Society on their facebook page.

Here’s more about Handy House from the Westport Historical Society’s website (used with permission)…

“Abbott Smith was sixty-seven years old when he purchased the Handy house and thirty-five acres from Daniel W. Baker on July 9, 1920.125 He purchased it for the property taxes due for that year. Abbott’s primary residence was 95 Hawthorn Street in New Bedford and he continued to live there even after acquiring the Handy house. Although he made numerous repairs and improvements to the house over the sixteen years he owned it, the Handy house was never his primary residence. By all indications, the Handy house appears to have been a retreat of sorts for him.”

Parlor featuring furniture and antiques collected by Abbott Smith
Photo Courtesy Westport Historical Society

Abbott Smith sold the Handy House to Louis and Florence Tripp in September 1936. Read more about Abbott and his life on the Westport Historical Society website.

Have a great week ahead. 


Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

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