Alexander Pope Abell was born on the 23d of July 1817, four miles west of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia, the eldest of three brothers, sons of Rev. John S. and Lydia B. Abell. Alexander Pope Abell has made an impress on the Southern Baptist work, almost unique in character and results. He has spent a busy life in works of love. His first impressions were made by the teachings of his father, an honored minister of the Baptist denomination. Although he was not baptized until 1833, yet, when but fifteen years of age he undertook the management of a Sunday-school in the mountains near his home. He was baptized by Rev. R. L. Coleman and joined the Baptist Church in Charlottesville…
As a business man he has had an extended experience. Earnest, honest, faithful in all things, his promotion was rapid, and success secured. Clerk, partner, head of firm, cashier of bank, secretary and manager of a large insurance company, vice-president of a national bank, president, manager of a firm doing a large home and foreign business in Savannah, his business hours have been fully occupied. Millions of wealth have passed through his hands and every dollar has been accounted for…
Wherever he has lived, he has been called up to the head of a Sunday-school; in Charlottesville, Staunton, Virginia, Savannah, Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina, where he is in charge of a flourishing mission school…
Married at twenty years of age to Miss Ann McLeod, a Scotch lady, whose ancestors figured largely in the history of their fatherland, his wife has proved a helpmeet indeed. The raven-locked young mand and the fair-haired lass have travelled, side by side, fortythree years, sharing sorrows and joys, helping and encouraging each other- and now that the hair is bleaching and the body is bending in the long years, the same loving, tender smile, the same pleasant, encouraging words greet friends and neighbors from the man and wife and people feel that it is good for them to meet the Christian couple. Mr. Abell has his only child, Mrs. R. S. Morgan, living with him. His home-life is very beautiful. Romping with his four grand-children, he, the merriest and noisiest, the little ones who know the friend, the sympathizer- the father.
