The Portland daily press., 1891-07-16

|
snip In Portland for carrying on the dry
soous business with John Williams, Of B0s-
T5on' ana OF the firm name Of II. j. Libby *
~. In 1910 the membership Of the firm was
brothers, Francis and James. For more
tnana quarter Of a century, this continued
70 De one OF the leading houses iu Maine.
Early IN his business life, Mr.. Libby be-
wooian van1 intersSted aaS In the manufacture Of
ne nved. The origin Of the business In that
| Place may be substantially ascribed to him,
subsequently he became interested In four
oo,a oo nve oIner manufactures of similar char
ne served as director and treasurer up 10 his
deatn. In 1860, the firm Of Ii. ], Libby &
CO., established w00len commission house
IN the city OF New York. for the sale Of the
pIouucts OF tne manufactures OF the con-
Germ ana others In which he himself was
personally interested. This concern, still in
/ prosperous condition, Is the oldest existing
woolen mouse In the United States. Under
wise and careful management 1t has passed
Wllnout reveTse through all the changes 10 a
tory.
Mr.. Libby was also deeply interested In
the commerce Of his section and state. And
TO MIN rs director and treasurer Of the Inter
Natienai Stsamshlp Company, director In
dent OF the Maine Steam Packet Company,
| the position OF one of its most Influential,
best Informed and effective controlling minds
will be freely accorded by all. He was also
and president Of the Portland Railway
Company; But Mr.. Libby possessed busi-
| ness faculties other than those required for
commerce and manufactures and trade. His
mind was adapted to dealing with questions
OF purely financial character. He was one
| Of the founders and first directors of the old
International Bank OF Portland, changed
under our national syste n into the First Ma
tional Bank Of Portland. In this ins titu-
ton he served as director until his death,
| closing MS services therein by presidency
| OF many years. He was also president OF
the Portland Trust Company.
Inese illusions TO his business career are
snf1c.ent to prove that he was man of
wide range OF business capacity. In all of
these affairs he was not a mere nominal di-
\ rector, but in all OF them his ability and ex-
| perience were constantly consulted, and his
| influence constantly felt. This sketch OF his
business history also proves that his life had
been spent in the promotion of useful indus
tries and business such as had substantial
| foundations In the necessities and capacities
| of the state, and are lasting contributions to
| the welfare of all classes In the community
which could be touched by their influence.
he was very busy man, unremitting In
his attention to business every day. He won
his wealth and position by the exercise Of
faculties of high order. They were the
| fruit OF unwearied attention to business, and
the application to 1t Of a clear, strong and
| cautious mind. He never embarked In haz
ardous or speculative enterprises, nor could
| ne be daZzled by any questionable prospects
| OF great gains quickly and easily to be real
lzed. He deliberately planned or examined
| and entered into solid business enterprises
with an Intelligent comprehension of the
| probable prospects Of their success and
| shared in the gains which he had anticipated
| in his brains. Although he was thus eau
tious In business action bis mind was quick,
NJ hEAff and nA1A TNwA~ -
demeanor he possessed keenness, acuteness,
penetration and that invaluable power Of
| getting at the substance Of business propo-
sltlon without being at all affected by the
dress In which II was presented. He never
made any venture upon conjecture or guess.
He proposed always to know what he was
doing. BY reason Of his power and habit of
preliminary examination, he was not man
TO be easily enlisted into business scheme,
but he was the last man to relinQuish Ii when
convinced that 1t ought to succeed. He was
very valuable associate In business mat
ter involved in embarrassment or trouble.
He met such difficulties with quiet manner,
but without being In the least degree over
whelmed, dlsmayed or confused. He met
business difficulties with a set purpose to
fully acquaint himself with the affair In
hand, to understand all its relations and con-
tlngencles, and II possible to place 1t once
more In a prosperous condition. Under these
circumstances he was as fruitful of expedi-
ents as he was reluctant to give up.
lie was not man to propose brilliant
scnemes or announce startling plans. There
was nothing In his methods to strike the
senses Of the hasty visionary class of busi-
ness men. But he seldom made any mistakes
de seized with very clear comprehension
upon the circumstances of a business matter
and took advantage OF those circumstances
with very high degree Of forecast and judg-
ment. His business life was not marked by
any conspicuous feat or achievement. But
ne never was misled into any fatal misstep or
prostrated oy any paralyzing reverse. He did
not owe his wealth to any lucky turn of bust
ness analrs which he had not anticipated.
Steady, even, assured progress characterized
mis- lie. His wealth was regularly and grad
ually acquired In the conduct of solid Dusi-
ness enterprises during long periods OIL time
Iheir permanence showed tfat they had sub
stantlal foundation IN and lasting relations
to the affairs of the state and community in
which he lived. He had great facility in the
transaction OF business but was always care
iul. painstaking and observant. No detail
ever ESCAPED him. He was also exact, regu-
lar, methodical, but was capable Of conduct
Ing business requiring broad knowledge and
comprehensive views.
MIR. Libby certainly deserves to be ranked
among the first Of the successful business
men In Maine. lie won his position by the
exercise Of real enduring business qualities
tion at all.
AS to more strictly personal traits Mr..
~
impression upon the memory. in many re-
spects he was peculiar. He was distinctly
modest, un0stenti0us. ShOwlor parade OF
either wealth or influence was wholly for
elgn 10 nls nature. He was averse to the ex-
ercise of that authority which his high posi-
tlon In business circles conferred upon him.
lie was not inclined TO suppress any PROPOSE
tion In which he did not believe. Ii he
lacked confidence in measure he would be
more likely to dismiss IL with a peculiar
smile. word and manORr Nhiqh Unnld cnf-
nciently indicate his unbelief In Its sound
ness. lie was a cool deliberate steadfast
man: lie was quiet pleasant man Of few
words but OF clear and firm opinions. He
was able however when occasion called to
lmpart his views not In a majesterial or dog
matte way but briefly, clearly, quietly ana
nrmly. In bearing he was courteous and
considerate. Cheerfulnees and coIdiality
characterized his manner. lie never in
dulged In harsh language, or permitted him
self TO administer rebukes or reprOaches. 1t
was not his method to drive men unwilllngly
into compliance with his views. He would
De more likely, before the time OF acting or
voting upon measure arrived, to have OBJ.
tanned such control over the matter as to be
able to quietly direct 1t as he wished But
IL would be a mistake to suppose from the
quletness OF his manner, that his character
lacked frmness or strength Beneath his
gentle and polite demeanor there existed
persistency, perseverance and deter
mination which never wearied and
never Jagged. But there was no
bluster in those exhibitions Of the
tirmer aud stronger side of his character.
Everything about him was always perfectly
quiet. He was admirably adapted to the
transaction Of businesses Of various difficult
and intricate kinds at the same time. This
was because he never worried, fretted, be-
came nervous or annoyed In the conduct of
the most complicated. perplexlng or difficult
affairs. de attended to all the various de-
mands OF business upon him and moved
among them without friction or waste Of
power. He was always cool, clear. calm and
collected. Faithfulness TO every business
engagement or application was the rule Of
his life and character. Strict integrity was
the natural atmosphere In which his busi-
ness activities were exerted.
In the more private relations of life he was
considerable, self-sacrifcing, affectionate and
kind. looking only to the happiness and we'll
fare OF those about him or committed to his
charge. lie did not abound in professions,
but sincere and loyal nature was exhibited
by an unwayering and life long attachment
10 his friends and cheerful readiness to rem
Der them assistance and a disposition to
place, II possible, a favorable construction
upon their actions and words. He never
harDored resentments; such state Of feel
Ing was foreign to the quiet and calm of his
disposition. lie was sI very even tempera-
ment, without uncertain and changing