The Chatfield Democrat Oct 11, 1900

A Good Man Gone to His Rest.
In the death of Mr. Abel Lombard,
last Sunday evening, Chatfield lost
one of her oldest and most honored
citizens. He possessed a genial disposition
was kind, true and faithful
to all his companions, and endeared
himself to those with whom he became
acquainted or had business relations.
His eulogy is written in the hearts
of those who knew him. He was
a man of high ideals of duty, both as
regarded his country and his fellowman,
and he lived up to those ideals
so nearly as to exhibit a model character
of American citizenship as well
as the virtues of a true Christian.
His presence always brought sunshine
and his generous unselfishness
was proverbial. He was so free
from offense himself that few ever attempted
to wrong him. He was slow
to take offense and easily forgave
those who offended him, yet he was
a man of strong character and nothing
could turn him aside from his
ideas of right and justice. His last
long and painful illness was a severe
test of his patience, but he bore it
"with manly fortitude and Christian
resignation. While those whom he
has left will deeply mourn the separation,
yet the memory of him will furnish
some of the sweetest thoughts
of the coming years of their lives.
Abel M. Lombard was born in Otisfield,
Maine, in 1883. He was a farmer's
son and lived on the old homestead
until he was 20 years old. Then
he learned the machinist trade at
Gorham, Maine. He worked at his
trade until the winter of 1856-57, when
he came to Chatfield, Minn. He
worked here at putting up and running
engines until 1860. In 1860 he
went to Macon county, Missouri, and
there he married Miss Martha Summers
in 1861. Soon after their marriage
they came to Minnesota and
settled on a farm in Freeborn county.
In 1863 he enlisted in the navy of the
Republic and after taking the requisite
examination was promoted to
the position of engineer on a gunboat.
At the close of the war he
joined his wife in Missouri and returned
to Chatfield, where he engaged
in the tinning business with
Mr. Abbott. After a time Mr. Lombard
bought his partner's share in
the store and for over twenty years
was engaged in the hardware business
where Mr. Tesca's store now is,
Mr. Lombard having erected that
building. Failing health induced him to sell
the hardware stock and visit the
South. On his return to Chatfield he
engaged in the banking business with
Messrs. Everett Jones and A.L. Ober.
He was taken with his final sickness
last June and died on Sunday,
Oct. 7th, at 5:22 p. m. Four children
survive him, Luther, Mrs. A.L. Ober,
Abner and Joseph.
The funeral was held from the residence
of Mr. A. L. Ober last Tuesday
afternoon at 2 o'clock. The services
were conducted by Rev. B. C. Gillis.
The pall bearers were members of the
G. A. R. post. The funeral was in
charge of the Masonic fraternity of
this place.