The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1892-04-14
Names Next Governor.


uiuhto NV tho itpuDlIChu uUmluhtiDu Tor
governor of Maine and in all probability
Gen. Henry B. Cleayes Of Portland, will
be unanimously chosen. He was born In
Brdgton in 1910 and is consequently 81
years old. He WAS educated IN the com
mon schools and the North Bridg,on and
Lewiston Falls academies and was prepar
ing for college when the war broke out.
At the age of % he enlisted as private in
the 23d Maine Regiment and served with
eminent bravery and capability In that
and afterwards 10 the Goth Maine till he
vas honorably discharged in 1865. He
was promoted TO the first lieutenant for
display of exceptional bravery. On his
return home at the age of % years, he
went work in sash and blind factory
IN Brldgton, but soon welt to Portland
aud began his life of unremitting and dis
tiDgulshed activity In the legal profession.
lie began to study in the Office of How
ard 4 Cleaves, the latter being his broth
er Nathan, and in 1865 YVES admitted to
the Cumberland bar, entered the firm of
Howard & Cleayes in 1869 an when Judge
Howard died became the sole partner of
the latter, and the two brothers, though
differing so strongly in politics, have con
tinued together in business ever since.
Henry represented Portland in the State
Legislature in '76 Y and was chairman of
the committee on the judiciary. He was
city solicitor of Portland from 1878 till
1879 aud attorney general of the state
from 1880 to 1885.
His ability as lawyer is such that many
clsim he has no superior in the state His
treatment OF a csse is straight forward and
open, and his grasp of all the facts is rs
complete as his research in obtaining them
| Is thorough. Though naturally not in.
clined to reading or fond of study for il.
self alone, he always goes to the very bot
tom OF case and follows the law back to
the old English source. Thus his know.
| ledge OF law is very extensive, and because
OF THIS fact and his ability to anticipate the
opposition of opposing counsel, he is very
seldom surprised by his opponent, and if
he should be, is able to wholly conceal it,
lie pos es 'es unusual self.control. His
demeanor everywhere is certainly an ex-
ponent of his character, being frank aud
cordial and wholly without Discrimination.
lie never forgets to bow to all acquain-
lance, however slight, whether he be a
young man of no importance or an old
man of great deal.
The law business OF the two brothers
has constantly increased, and to day they
plead cases In every county in the State
and not lnfrequently in Boston, while the
oihce business, and especially the organ
lzlng and conducting of corporations, is
more extensive. They divide the work
quite equally, and both plead cases as well
as attend to the office busiuess.
Mr.. Cleaves' life since he began the
practice of law in Portland, has known
little variety. He is worker and seldom
leaves the city except on business He
and the Judge both live at the Falmouth
Hotel and summers spend couple of
months at their cottage on Little Cheheague
island. He and his brother owned Little
CheDeague and the Waldo, but sold out n
few Years ago. Their relations socially
and in business are very intimate and cor
dial, but they never talk politics.
Their different political views were
brought about in this way. WHEN the
Judge became of age the father was II
democrat, and therefore the son voted
likewise, but when Henry became of age
the war was just breaking out, the father
became republican and the Son voted like
the father. There are two other brothers,
one in Washington, and the other farm
er in Bridgton. For the same reasons, one
of them is republican, the other a DEM
ocrat.
The income of the Ceaves Bros. is be
yond any possible personal expenses and
their purse is always open to solicitations
for charity. Petitions of all kinds are
constantly coming to the law Office, and
they do not come in vain. If there is evel
anything in the city that demands contri
buttons for charity, the Office of n & II
b. Cleaves is always visited, and the broth
ers always respond, and sometimes are i'm
posed uptn by giving when they are no
assured of the use to which the none,
will be put.
One occasion Just before Thanksgiving
II former cl ent was lodged in Portland jail
The brothers heard OF it and sent the maj
an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner, thong
ere WAS no reason why they should, ot1
or than kindly promptings.
Mr. Cleaves is regular attendant at tn
High Street Congregational church Will
his brother is equally regular in attendance
n st Luke's Cathedral - Exchange.
The Bangor Wing recalls fac WORT
remembe ing relative to the tin-plate All
( tation and legislation. In 1864, when, by
/ the transfer of comma, the American
I plate Industry was nipped in the bud
tin plste a once Jumped from SiS7 IL