Michael F. Abbott
A master tinsmith and entrepreneur, Michael Abbott established his first business in western Newfoundland in 1886. Abbott went on to build and operate a general store which provided food, clothing, household furnishings, fishing supplies and farm tools to all of the settlements on the Port au Port Peninsula.
He later became involved in the fishing industry and pulpwood logging ventures around the Bay St. George area. A brief partnership with Harry Haliburton of Nova Scotia saw the name of the company change to Abbott and Haliburton, a name it carries to this day.
With 117 years of history, the Abbott store is the oldest continuously operating commercial enterprise on the west coast. Abbott and Haliburton are currently operated by Michael's great-grandson Harold and Harold's son Bill - the fifth generation in the business.