Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-01-05

Hon. Henry Is. Cieayes comes Of a good
solid, od-fasbioned Maine family. His
father was Thomas Cleaves who was a ma
tive of Bridgton, where all the children
we're born, He was man Of great energy,
sound business Judgment and the strletest
integrity. He was always prominent in
town affairs and for many years was a Sc
leetman and held many other municipal Of
aces. He was originally a Democrat and
represented his town in the Legislature in
is!JD-5I as a member Of that party. Dur
ing the war he WAS a strong Union man and
AZ that time became identified with the Re-
publican party. He was an ardent sup
porter of the administration of President
Lincoln, and was always vigorous in his ar
.unents for the prosecution of the war.
Mr.. Cieayes' mother, Sophia Bradstreet
Cieayes, was daughter of Daniel Brad
street, who came from Rowiey, Mass, in
the early days of Bridgton. She was a
most worthy woman, kind. cheerful, thought
full and helpful, just the woman to bring
IN A large family of children into honest
manhood aud womanhood. Both father
and mother were members of the Congre-
zational church of Bridgton. Thomas
Cieayes died in Bridgton in 1881, at the
age of 81 years, and Mrs. Cleaves died two
YEAR, later.
Their children, all but one of whom are
living are Robert A. Cleayes, who resides at
Bridg.on, the late Nathan Cleaves of Port
land, Thomas 7. Cieaves of Washington, ID.
C.. formerly Il member of the Maine State
Senate from oxford county, Henry b.
Cleayes and Mrs. William W. Mason OF
Portland
Henry b. Cleaves was born in Bridgton
/ 80 wears ago. and was educated in the com
mon schools Of his native town and at North
Bridgton Academy. For several years be
| fore the war he attended school in the fnl
and spring, working on the farm in sum
mer, and in the woods cutting and hauling
wood and lumber in winter. He enlisted
| in the summer of ls62 as private soldier
| in Company Is of the 25d Maine Volunteers
| a regiment of nine months men that was
being raised by Colonel William Writ Nir
gin. Il was expected, ut 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 hi;
regime ut al Poolsville. on the Potomac, anC
at Harper's Ferry, and was soon appointed
orderly sergeant of Company h. The reg
| ment was mustered out of service in the
/ following July by reason of the expiration
I of the term of service.
| Sergeant Cleaves at once re-enlisted fol
three years under Colonel Francis Fessen
/ den, who was recruiting a veteran regiment
/ for active service in the field. to be com
manded by himself. Young Cleaves wa,
/ appointed first lieutenant of Company +
/ and portion of the time he was in com
mand of Company +. the officers of the
latter company having been either killed 81
/ disabled In action. II, regiment was sent
/ to New Orleans and attached TO the army ii
/ the department of the gulf. He partici
/ pated in various engagements under Gen
! eral Banks and IN the Red River expedition
and WAS with Colonel Fessenden, losing his
| leg in the latter action while the regiment
was making a brilliant charge. The 3ott
suffered severely in this action. Colonel
| Fesscnden was Immediately promoted to
brigadicr general and Thomas II. Hubbard
son of cx- Governor Hubbard, was made
! colonel of the regiment.
/ After the close of the campaign in Louis
lana Lieutenant Cleayes' 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 de-
clned.
"A drawer and better officer never drew
sword. You ought to have seen how
cool AMI brave Lieutenant tleaves was
when he led us boys in the terrible charge
ut Cane Crossing on the Red River expe-
dition. He just went into the work as
husiuess-like as if on parade" was the
earnest remark Of one of his soldiers after
the regiment came home.
Mr.. Cleaves' 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 returned
to his home in Bridgton and worked for two
years in sash and blind factory and the
lumber yard of perIev 4 Stiles. In Jan
uary, 1865. he began the study of law and
in September of the same year he was adj
mitted to the bar. He formed a co-partner-
ship with Hon. Washington Gilbert and
practiced in Bath for about wear. when
he removed TO Portland The lave firm of
Nathan 4 Henry B. Cleaves has been well
known throughout the State and New Eng
land for long period of years as one of
the oldest in Portland The senior member
OF the firm. Hon. Nathan Cleaves, died Sept.
., 1892, leaving Henry B. Cleaves an |