The Republican journal., 1899-10-19
Hon. 1. c. Libby Dead.

| WArERv1LLE. Me-, Oct. IL. Hon. Isaac G.
Libby died this morning at 1.30 at his resi-
dence Oh upper College avenue. Mr. Libby
had been i'll for SIX months and over In
September he recovered to the extent that
he was able to attend to his banking busi-
ness and to other matters, though he did
feel able to leave the city For the last four
days he had been confined to his bed. His
family did not apprehend, however. that he
was so near his end. At the last death came
| suddenly. The direct cause of death was
degen neration of the heart.
Isaac G. Libby, for many years known as
Cattle King of Maine, and more recently
engaged in banking, real estate, farming,
street railway and other business enter
prises, was born in Exeter, Penobscot county,
Maine, June ,, 1887, son of Jas. and Mary
Ann (Boston) Libby. His parents came
from KIttery and Newield in the western
part of the State, and were early settlers in
the town of Wellington, Piscataquis county,
where they were subjected to all the priva-
tions incident to pioneer life in new coun-
try The father was mechanic, and subse-
quently moved to Exeter, where Isaac, the
subject of our sketch was born. He ac-
qured his early education i'll the common
schools of Exeter and Troy, and fitted for
college at Hampden (Maine) Academy, but
owing to the parental need of his services
he did not pursue collegiate course. When
- years old he learned the cooper's trade at
which he worked for several years. At the
age of 16 he commenced teaching, and taught
ten terms in common town schools before he
was 21. In 1858 he engaged in farming in
Troy, Waldo county, and in 1860 started
in the cattle business. shipping live stock to
the Brighton market. This business he
closely followed for more than 80 years win
ming by his extensive dealings and shipments
the appellation of Cattle King of Maine"
During this period Mr. Libby made more trip
TO the Brighton market, shipped and sold more
cattle and sheep, distributed more money
and travelled more miles than any other
man in Maine. In 1878 he moved to Burn
ham on the Maine Central railroad, and
made that town the live stock center of
Maine All cattle trains stop there now,
and all live stock in transit fed and
watered in the stock yards on the Libby
farm which is one of the best in Maine, one
mile square.
His two sons, Libby Bros, E. L. and F, L.
Libby, well known live stock dealers, follow
the same business as their father, and occupy
the old home at Burnham.
Mr.. LIbby's close connection with live
stock induced him, when the West, the great
American desert, was being utilized for the
production OF stock, to go to Montana, where
he purchased and owned some of the largest
sheep and cattle ranches in the Northwest.
At the present time there are on these ranches
more than thousand cattle and 10000
sheep.
Mr. Libby did not, however, confine his in
dustry and abilities to the cattle business.
He wrote more than a thousand articles for
publication in New England newspapers,
mostly on topics relating to agriculture, in
which he has always been engaged, having
operated one Of the largest farms in Waldo
county.
In 1892 Mr.. Libby moved from Burnham to
Waterville, and from lengthy obituary in
the Watervile Mail we quote as follows:
He had for long term of years been di-
rector in the Peoples National bank of this
city, and in 1892 was elected president of the
Waterville Safe Deposit company, which
position he held at his deCease. In 1898 he
purchased from A. F. Gerald of Fairfield the
Watervile Il Fairfield Street Railway and
lighting plants, and was at his death presi-
dent of both of these enterprises. He was
the first president of the Maine Condensed
Milk Co. whose factories and plants are
located at Newport and Winthrop, Maine,
and Whitefeld, n. II. He has also con-
structed in connection with 4. F. Gerald the
Calais & st. Stephen, the Bangor, Orono &
Old Town, the Skowhegan sd Norridge-
wock, Portsmouth, Kittery & York Beach,
Lewiston, Brunswick & Bath Lewiston Il
Sebattus street railways, of all of which com
panles he was treasurer. MIR. Libby pur-
chased for Improvement in 1888 a large land
ed estate known as the Waterville Addi-
ton On which he resided at the time Of his
death. A deer park and a Central Park
are among its acquisitions, He was always
a Republican ia politlcs, and held various
municipal offices in all the towns in which
he has resided. He represented a strongly
Democratic class in the Maine legislature
from 1855 to 1858, aud was a mem Der of the
Republican National convention of 1888, that
nominated Benjamin Harrison. He was u
member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow
fraternlties, and an honorary member OF all
temperance societies in Maine. Mr.. Libby
III,
all debts and engagements never drank or
took for medicine alcoholic liquors. and never
smoked used tobacco in any form He
was strong believer in virtue and upright
ness, and while having no religious prefer
ences, contributed literally to support the
preaching of the gospel. He was married in
1859 to Helen NJ. Green of Troy, Me, they
having seven sons, Arthur Preston, Charles
Everett, Howard Isaac, Ernest Leonard,
Frank Leroy, Pearl Ashton, and one daugh-
ter, Helen NJ. Green Libby, the last named
being now the wife of DR.. W. M. Pulsifer of
this city. Herbert c., the youngest son, is a
member of the Sophomore class, Colby Col
lege and his class adopted resolutions of res
pect to the memory of the deceased.
Howard |. Libby has for several years resid
ed in this city and aided his father in carry
ing on his extensive farming and stock rails
ing operations He is now member of the
common council branch of the city govern
ment."
Mr.. Libby left three brothers and two
sisters, Frank D. and William 7. Libby
and Jennie c., wife of Melvin Batch
elder of Fairfield; James Libby, Jr., OF
Unity and Angie E, wife of Hon. r. W.
Rogers of Belfast.
The funeral services over the remains OF
the late Isaac c. Libby were held Satur-
day afternoon at / O'Clock at the house.
Rev. G. D. Lindsay, pastor of the Methodist
church, otficiated. a quartette, Mrs. Jen-
ME Brown Flood, Mrs. F. B. Hubbard, g.
A. Kennison and G. E. Marston, sang.
The remains were taken to the Maine Cen
tral station after the services, placed aboard
a special car which was attached to the
31O train and taken to Burnham, where
the interment was made. There was a
short prayer at the grave. The immediate
relatives of the deceased accompanied the
remains to Burnham. The scene at the flu
neral in Burnham was very affecting. The
church was crowded, and as the audience
passed ont and viewed the remains of their
former neighbor and friend there was hardly
dry eye to be seen, and strong men wept
There has been much speculation in regard
to the manner in which the late Hon. /. Z.
Libby has left his business affairs There
are many parties and many Interests invol-
we'd in his dealings and in the enterprises
with which he was 50 long connected Ot
his affairs Mr.. A. +. Gerald, his closest busl-
a1ay aft