Background
Abbitt was born in Lynchburg, Virginia to George Francis Abbitt and Otway C. Moorman Abbitt.
lawyer politician representative
Abbitt was born in Lynchburg, Virginia to George Francis Abbitt and Otway C. Moorman Abbitt.
He graduated from Appomattox Agricultural High School in Appomattox, Virginia in 1925.
He earned an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Richmond in 1931 and began the practice of law in Appomattox. Abbitt served as a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention. He was a bank executive, and then elected as a Democrat to the United States Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Patrick H. Drewry, and was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses (February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973).
He died from leukemia in Lynchburg, Virginia and was interred at Liberty Cemetery, Appomattox, Virginia.
1948; Abbitt was elected to the United States. House of Representatives in a special election unopposed and was re-elected in the general election unopposed. 1950; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
1952. Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
1954; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed. 1956; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
1958. Abbitt was re-elected with 87.15% of the vote, defeating Independent Frank M. McCann.
1960; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed. 1962; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
1964. Abbitt was re-elected after tying Independent South.W. Tucker in the general election.
1966; Abbitt was re-elected with 75.3% of the vote, defeating Independent Edward J. Silverman. 1968; Abbitt was re-elected with 71.52% of the vote, defeating now-Republican Tucker.
1970. Abbitt was re-elected with 61.02% of the vote, defeating Independent Ben Ragsdale and Republican James M. Helms.
He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from February 17, 1948 to January 3, 1973. He was the Commonwealth"s attorney of Appomattox County from 1932 to 1948 and a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1945. He was a member of the agriculture committee.