The Portland daily press., 1871-08-28

| Master Joseph Libby died yesteaday at thu
residence of his soI-in-law, VIM. L. Alden
about noon, passing away calmly and quietly
and without any apparent sense of pain or suf
fering His last illness was brief, of only a
week IN duration, although he had been gradu-
ally falling for several weeks, and his malady
was combination of internal disorders. For
some time before his cath he visited his place
of business daily in accordance with the Gus
tom of years. but within the past week decay
of the mental and physical faculties was RAPID.
For two days before his death he was conscious
onlv at intervals and on Saturday he recOg
nizaa the members OF his own family with diff
ficulty.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands OF the natives
Of Portland at home and scattered in all parts
of the world--wil receive the news of the death
of a fort er instructor with sadness. In the
course of nature death mus come TO men full
of years, but there is a community of feeling
between the teacher and pupil that endures to
the end of life; and though we feel that the
separation is inevitable it brings sense of
peculiar sorrow. ...
Master Libby was born in Buxton, Dec 13,
1900 ohu hC vas euCiCioiC 30 years VI dye. ne
was bred to the business of blacksmith, but
one day received a sunstroke, or some similar
afa cton, which prostrated him and incapaci-
tated him from hard work. He therefore set
himself to get an education, and by his own
exertions mainly be prepared himself for col
lege and entered Bowdoin at "a comparatively
advanced age and graduated in the class of 1921
with high honors. In point OF age he was the
senior; in scholarship he had few superiors. He
excelled in mathematics and at graduation he
was one of the four. to whom mathematical
parts were assigned. The class numbered
twenty-one, and embraced Judge Joseph
Howard, the late Charles Harding, the late
Rev. Charles Soule, and others who became
we'll known in the State. After graduation
Mr.. Libby came to Portland and was appointed
Principal of the Latin School, then located on
Spring street. After remaining in that posi-
ton for about six years he resigned and opened
private school for instruction in mathematics
and the higher branches. Meantime the Latin
School was abolished and the High School for
Boys established and Mr.. Libby was elected
Principal. He continued at the head of this
institution until our old public school system
was overturned and something like the prese1
substituted. This was about the year 1850 Mr..
Libby then retired, having been engaged in
teaching about thirty years, and having under
his tuition during that period thousands, per-
haps, of boys, who in all their varied expert
ences, have preserved their respect for their
former instructor. From that time to the
present Master Libby has been engaged in the
hay business. tl
Mr.. Libby's classmates speak of him as re-
served, sedate young man, eminent for sterling
good sense and steadfastness OF purpose. His
pety at that time was marked and ennobled
his character. The man OF almost fOurscOre
years was the college graduate of %, enlarged,
ripened, and mellowed-true, faithful, and
For great many years he was a
deacon of the Third Parish Church in this city,
and also served his church and generation for
a long period as Superintendent of the Sunday
School.
Mr.. Libby was twice married. His fist wife
left no issue. His second wife was a sister OF
Rev. Charles jenkins, once pastor of the Third
Parish Church, by whom he had several child
ren, three of whom at least survive him. Two
brothers also survive him, Peter Libby, OF
Scarboro, and Nahum Libby, late Street Com
missioner of this city.
The funeral will take place tomorrow fore
noon at 10 o'clock from the house of Mr.. Alden, |
No. Gray street. The Aged Brotherhood, OF
which Mr.. Libby was a member, will probably |
attend, and we suggest that the pupils of the |
High School under Mr.. Libby's instruction
will take measures to pay their last respects as
an organized body.