I did get the impression that he was a rather colourful character

. Wonderful to have someone like that to research in your family.
Trying to find him earlier than 1891, but with no definite sighting of a Frederick Abbott to match later records.
However, there is this little family in 1881:
24 Albert Street, Spittlegate, Lincolnshire
Thomas Stobbart head 39 Joiner Cumberland, Farlam
Elizabeth Stobbart wife 33 Derbyshire , Derby
Frederick Stobbart son 11 scholar Derbyshire, Derby
Class: RG11/ Piece: 3233/ Folio: 38/ Page: 32
I have traced Thomas back through the censuses - and I think he is the son of John and Mary Stobbart, born at Farlam in 1841 (IGI baptism).
In 1871 he is still unmarried, living in Farlam with his brother Robert, and working as a joiner.
Class: RG10/ Piece: 5210/ Folio: 27/ Page: 8
His age, as recorded by the enumerator is 41 ( should be 29 ) but as Robert's age is 41 I think perhaps the enumerator's attention wandered for a moment. I am pretty sure that this is the same chap as in 1881, the point being that it doesn't look as if he is the father of 11 year old Frederick in 1881.
In 1874 a Thomas Stobbart married Elizabeth Abbott in Salford (on Lancashire BMD database)