Title |
Abel, P. E. (Peter E.) |
Date |
March 17, 1826-May 2, 1876 |
Description |
Peter E. Abel, born on March 17, 1826 in Philadelphia, worked as a clerk, bookseller, publisher of lithographs, and business
agent in the city between 1839 and 1876. Following his education at Central High School, Abel worked in Turner & Fisher's
book store (15 North Sixth Street) until about 1849 and the death of proprietor Frederick Turner. During that time, he published
lithographs, predominately political cartoons, with artist Edwin F. Durang. Titles, all dated 1848, include Bagging the
Game; Cock of the Walk; The Democratic Funeral of 1848; The Liberty Chariot; Worrying the Bull; Studying Political Economy;
and Who Says Gas? The Democratic B-Hoy.
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After 1849, he worked for the widowed Mrs. Turner and her sons at 384 North Second Street and by 1856 for T. B. Peterson &
Bros.' publishing house at 102 (i.e. 306) Chestnut Street. Remaining with Peterson until about 1869, Abel then opened and
operated his own book and curiosities shop at 131 South Seventh Street until around 1871. Soon thereafter, he became the business
agent for the Chestnut Street Theater under the management of Edward Loon Davenport, and later worked for various bookstores
and businesses, including those at 1211 Chestnut Street, 112 South Eighth Street, and 1315 Chestnut Street. Abel's work with
the theater included the coordination of theater events and benefits and the publication of theater-related media, including
playbills. He was one of the main organizers of "La Coterie Carnival" in Philadelphia in the late 1860s.
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Until about 1860, Abel resided on Wildey (i.e. Bedford) Street in Ward 19 with his wife, Cecile E. (1830-1897), and his son,
Frederick (b. 1853) before moving to 1612 North Seventh Street (Ward 18). The family remained at the address until ca. 1875
when they relocated to 1632 Institute (i.e. Bouvier) Street, their address at the time of Abel's death on May 2, 1876, when
the former lithograph publisher burdened by financial woes committed suicide by jumping from the Girard Avenue Bridge.
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Is part of |
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers |
References |
See Abel & Durang. |
Call number |
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers |
Bibliographic citation |
Census 1850, 1860 and 1870 |
|
Peters, 71 |
|
Library Company of Philadelphia research file |
|
North American, May 5, 1876 |
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Philadelphia City Directories, 1855-1876 (intermittently) |
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Philadelphia Inquirer, May 5, 1876 |