The Republican journal., 1892-05-19
Henry b. Cleaves and his Career.

AS SOLDIER AND CIyIIIAN-COMEs FROM
A GOOD OLD-FAsHIONED MAINE FAM
ILY-REPRES SENTATIVE, CITY SOLICITOR
AND ATTORNEY GENERAL-ONE OF THE
STATE PROMINENT LEGAL LIGHTS-A
WELL KNOWN GRAND ARMY MAN
BRIEF REVIEW OF THE INTERESTING
BEST CAsE-THE SKETCH OF . A SELF
MADE MAINE MAN.
From the Portland Advertiser.
Since he is to be the next governor of
the State let us see who he is and what he
has done.
Hon. Henry Is. Cleaves comes OF A good
solid, old-fashoned Maine family. His
father was Thomas Cleaves who was a ma
tive OF Bridgton, where all the children
were born. He was a man of great enel-
gy, sound business Judgment and the
>trictest integrity. He was always prom
inent in town affairs and for ma y wears
was a selectman and held many other mu-
nicipal Offices. He was originally a Dem
ocrat and represented his town in the leg
lSlature in 1S50-5l, as a member OF that
party. During the war he was a strong
MON man and at that time became iden-
tried with the Republican party. He was
an ardent supporter Of the administration
of President Lincoln, and was always Wig
orous in his arguments for the prosecu-
ton of the war.
Mr.. Cleaves mother. Sophia Bradstreet
Cleaves, was daughter OF Daniel Brad
street, who came from Rowley. Mass. in
the early days of Bridgton. She was Il
most worthy woman. kind. cheerful.
thoughtful and helpful, just the woman
to bring up large family OF children into
honest manhood and womanhood. Both
father and mother were members of the
Congregational Church OF Bridgton.
Thomas Cleaves died in Bridgtou in 1881.
at the age Of 81 years, and Mrs. Cleayes
died Two years later
Their children all of whom are living.
are Robert A. CleaveS. who resides at
Brdgton, Judge Nathan Cleaves, OF Port
land. Thomas p. Cleaves. OF Washington.
ID. G.. formerly member of the Maine
State Senate from Oxford County. Henry
K. Cleaves and Mrs William W Mason,
OF Portland. Robert A. and Judge Cleaves
have always been Democrats, Thomas =.
and Henry B. Republicans.
Henry b. Cleayes was born i'll Bridoton
- years ago, and was educated in the
common schools of his native town and at
North Bridgton academy. For several
years before the war he attended school in
in summer and in the woods cutting and
hauling wood and lumber i'll winter. He
enlisted in the summer of 1867 As Il private
soldier in Company Is of the 2:il Maine
Volunteers. a regiment OF nine months
men that WAS being raised by Colonel
William Writ Virgin. 1t was expected
at that time, when the government called
for nine months men. that the rebellion
would be crushed before the expiration of
the term Of service He served during
the first enlistment with his regiment 1T
PouiSvilir, on the Potomac and 1T Hal-
per 5 Ferry, ana was soon appointed or
derry sergeant OF Company l.. The regi-
mcnt WAS mustered out OF service in the
following July by reason OF the expiration
of the term of service
Sergeant Cleavt's 1T once rc-enlisted Joy
three Feal'S under Colonel Francis FesSen-
den. who was recruiting veteran regi-
ment for active service in the field, to he
commanded by himself Young Cleaves
was appointed first lieutenant OF Company
f, and Il portion of the time, he was in
command of Company f, the officers of
the latter company having been either
killed or disabled in action. The regi-
ment was sent to New Orleans and at
tached to the army in the department of
the Gull He participated in various en-
gagements under General Banks and in
the Red River expedition and was with
Colonel Fessenden, losing his leg in the
latter action while the regiment was max
ing a brilliant charge. The 30th suffered
severely in this action. Colonel Fessen-
den was Immediately promoted to briga-
dier general, and Thomas II. Hubbard.
son of Ex-Governor Hubbard. was made
colonel of the regiment
After the close of the campaign in Lou
isiana Lieutenant Cleave's regiment was
transferred to Virginia and he served dur
ing the remainder of the war in the Army
of the Potomac and in the Shenandoah
Valley under General Sheridan. He was
mustered out of service at the close of the
war and was offered commission in the
regular army by Secretary Stanton, but
declined
"a drawer and better officer never drew
a sword. You ought to have seen how
cool and brave Lieutenant Cleaves was
when he led us boys in the terrible charge
at Cane Crossing on the Red River expe-
dition. He just went into the work as
business-like as if on parade was the
earnest remark of one of his soldiers af-
ter the regiment came home.
Mr.. Cleaves' S first vote for President was
cast for Abraham Lincoln while he was
still in active service In Virginia, the fall
of 1864. At the close of the war he re-
turned to his home in Bridgton and work
ed for two years in sash and blind fac
tory and the lumber yard of Perley &
Stiles. In January, 1868, he began the
study of law and in September of the same
year he was admitted to the bar. He form
ed a copartnership with Hon. Washington
Gilbert and practiced in Bath for about
a year. when he removed to Portland.
/ The law firm of Nathan d Henry B.
Cleaves is we'll known throughout the
State and New England as one of the old
est in the city. The present members of
the firm are Nathan Cleaves, Henry B.
Cleaves and stephen c. Perry. Their law
offices are at Payson' block. 80 Exchange
street, occupying nearly the entire second
floor of the block. They have one of the
largest and most expensive law libraries
in the State.
Since coming to Portland MI. Cleaves
has been in public life much of the time
and in various capacities has always done
credit to himself and the city. He was a
member of the legislature in 1S76-77 and
was chairman of the judiciary committee,
In 1877 he was elected city solicitor, and
during his two years of Office he tried
many important cases for the city. In