Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-12-25

samuel W Clrdvc~. one of nature, no.
blemcn, j. dead. He formerly resided in
Steuhen, but for several years has lived
with his daughter. Mrs. John. 4. Shaw. at
West Goud,horo. For some considerable
time he had been gradually failing in body
and mind under the inlrmiiies Of age, IN
til on Friday inurnin. last he suddenly
passed away. Thursday night he rested
better Than usu and Friday morning with
help dressed himself and walked into the
sitting room where he partouk Of his break
fast. Shortly after. while the family were
out of the room in another part Of the
house, they heard a sharp scream aud
Mrs. Shaw rushed 10 the sitting room 10
ind her fathers head thrown back aud life
extinct.
Mr. Cleaves wa, born ~ Kenucbunk.
Me, April 10. lsut In the fall Of lsa5
his father. Joshua Cieayes, sailed in a
smsi vessel from kcnncbunk for Nova
Scotia and was never heard Of afterward.
The widow being left with four small
children moved back TO her native town OF
lily were separated during the >u.lmer. aud
Samuel w then about two and lialf
years old. MAS adopted by Mr.. and Mrs
George Chilcott, the grandparents Of The
writer of this article, whose. home was on
Ironbound island The writer's father,
then young man was member Of the
family, aud few years after Samuel al
vent into the housc, the writers parents
were married and established their home
with the old folks. The adopted son re-
mailed with them until he reached his ma
iOrity and then went out into the world
for himself Though be left his Iron
4. bound home before the writer OF this was
born, during all the days of our minority
the name of Samuel W CIeayes was a
household word in the family. Our good
mother held him up 10 Us a model
worthy of imitation. When we were way
ward and rude She told us OF the uniform
good behavior of Samuel Cleaves; when
we were inclined to devote more time to
play and less TO study than we ought, she
reminded u that Samuel Cleaye. devoted
all his spare time to the reading and study
Of the limited number of books which he
could obtain; when we were thoughtless
She told u Of the marked thoughtfuness
Of Samuel Cleaves, and when We were Idle
she emphasized Samuel Ceaves' industry.
She, in turn was great favorite Of the
adopted son. He has told Us several times
during the last twenty-five year>-and, of
course, We were glad TO hear him say it
that daring all the years he lived with our
mother he could never discover that she
had fault of any kind. OF course he
viewed her memory with very charitable
recollections. but if his saying is evidence
of nothing else it is certainly evidence of
his own broad charity.
Mr. Cleaves was man of rare intelli-
gence, great reader, profoundly thought
full, of sterling worth and uncompromi>ing
integrity. He was devoted Christian
gentleman who believed with all his heart
in the fatherhood of God and the brother
hood of man. In religious belief he was
Universaist. who, while he loved his re-
ligious sect. had a charity as broad as the
world for those who honestly differed with
him. Among newspapers the Gospel Ban
ner was great favorite, whose pages he
perused for years and valued next to his
Bible. He was also very firm friend Of
| the ELLSWORTH AMERICAN for whose col
| umns he contributed several very interest
| ing articles, one of which. "A Historical
| Sketch of Ironbound Island" attracted
| considerable notice.
| In his long life he accomplished much of
| good, for his influence was always exerted
I in the right direction and he was found on
the right side of all the great questions of
I the day. 1t is true indeed that
| mo life
Can be pure in its purpose and strong in Its
strife.
And all life not be purer and stronger thereby"
Mr. Cleaves married Miss Leoniece B.
Leighton. daughter of Dea. Hateval Leigh
ton. of Steuben, Feb. 7, 1880. To them
were born four children, a son and three
daughters. The son was lost at sea and
one of the daughters is dead. The other
two daughters, Mrs. John A. Shaw and
| Mrs Jason S. Sargent, both reside at
/ West Gouldsboro. Mrs. Cleaves died
April 3, 1879. Mr.. Cleaves' funeral ser
| vices were held at the church in Steuben,
| Oh Sunday afternoon last.