Absolum committed suicide by shooting himself.

In the 1880 U.S. Census, farmer Abslom Dane, 62, born Canada, was living in New Limerick, Maine, with Lorene S., 53, born Canada; Pheba S., 27; Abslom, 19; Emery A., 13; and Emma A., 10, all born in Maine.

In the 1870 U.S. Census, farmer Absaolum Dow, 49, born Maine, was living in New Limerick, Maine, with Lorena, 42; Phebe, 17;1 Absalam, 9; Harriet, 6; Emery A., 3; and (female), 0 years, all born in Maine.

in the 1860 U.S. Census, A.S. Dow, 41, born N.B., was living in New Limerick, Maine with Phoebe S., 7; and L.S., 3, both born in Maine

In the 1850 U.S. Census, farmer John Dow, 67, born Mass, was living in No. 5, Range 3 in Aroostook County, Maine, with Mary, 32; Eleanor, 26; Amanda Green, 28; farmer Absalom Dow, 30; Catherine, 15; and farmer Oliver, 24, all born in N.B.

John Dow prospered in his shipping business. His sons helped in rafting logs down the St John River to the mills which sawed them into lumber which constituted the outgoing cargoes of his ships. With increasing means came an increased establishment and we can readily understand why the family grew into the ways and habits of the well-to-do. Why should they not enjoy the fruits of their labor? One recorder reports that they became quite aristocratic, holding themselves in high esteem. We have all seen the like, have we not? About 1835 prosperity began to wane, due to two probable causes. The first was the loss of the good ship Phoebe uninsured [another vessel, the Eliza Ann (named for Eliza Ann Emery), is also spoken of as lost under similar circumstances]. No doubt this was a severe blow to the family finances. The second cause is given as the remission of duties on lumber entering British ports from the Baltic Sea, with which the provincial product could not compete. This put a quietus on the lumber export trade of New Brunswick, and, along with many others, John Dow failed.
The date of the departure of the family from Oromocto to found a new home at New Limerick is not known, but inasmuch as all but one of the children were born at Oromocto, it must have been very shortly after 1835. Knowing something of the farm he conducted there, it is inconceivable that his failure deprived him of everything. He had passed the age of 50 and had the numerous family hereinafter recorded. Some of the children were old enough to be of material help. We have read of the patriarchal home he and his able wife made for themselves at New Limerick, and it is difficult to believe that something was not saved with which to start it. The farm is known at this date as the Edward Hennigan place. As Phoebe Smith died Nov 27, 1841, she did not live long after leaving Oromocto. John Dow lived on at New Limerick, his daughter Mary Frances taking the mother's place, and on Apr 21, 1852, surrounded by his family singing When I can read my title clear To mansions in the skies, he passed on to the higher life.
The children of John and Phoebe, record made by Absalom Smith Dow of New Limerick, and copied by Margaret A. Swift:
a Eliza Ann b Feb 1, 1810
b John Emery b Apr 13, 1811
c Henry b July 14, 1812
d George b Mar 7, 1814; d Oct 2, 1815
e and f twins b Apr 18, d Apr 19, 1815
g Mary Frances b June 11, 1816
h Elijah Smith b Feb 11, 1818
i Absalom Smith b May 27, 1819
j Phoebe Amanda b Mch 25, 1821
k Eleanor Amelia b Feb 11, 1823
l Margaret Taylor b Jan 12, 1825
m Oliver Smith b Dec 3, 1827
n Arthur b May 5, d May 6 1829
o Catherine Leonard b Apr 5, 1830; d young
p Catherine Annie b Mch 1, 1835
q ---- not named, b New Limerick
(http://www.dowlink.net/background_information.htm)

Absolum was the son of John Dow and Louisa Drew.