The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-10-19
Death of Hon. 1. C. Libby.

/
for many years one of the most active
business men In Maine, died at his home,
Thursday morning the 12th instant.
His illness which has been severe for
more thas six months, is supposed to
have been brought on by hard work
which caused physical and nervous
breaking down, from which he could
| not rally.
He was formerly engaged In farming,
and buying and selling cattle, and IL Is
as dealer In cattle, that he is best
known In central Maine. This business
he turned over to his sons, some years
ago, since which time he had been en-
gagged In banking, real estate business,
and In the extensive promotion OF elect
ric railways, with Amos F. Gerald Of
Fairfield. He had also large interests
In the raising Of sheep and cattle In
Montana. Isaac c. Libby, was born
In Exeter, Penobscot county, June 2,
1887, son Of james and Mary Ann (Bos-
ton) Libby. His parents came from
the western part OF the State, and we're
early settlers in the town Of Wellington,
where they were subjected TO all the
privations incident to life 10 new
country. The father was mechanic,
and subsequently moved to Exeter,
where Isaac was born. He acquired
his early education in the common
schools Of Exeter and Troy, and fitted
for college at Hampden (Maine) Acad
envy, but owing to the parental need of
his services, did not pursue u collegiate
course.
When IL years old ne learned the
cooper's trade, at which he worked for
several years. At the age of 16 he CON-
menced teaching, and taught 10 terms
in common town schools before ne was
81. In 1858 he engaged In farming 10
Troy, Waldo county, and In 1860 he
started In the cattle business, shipping
livestock to the Brighton market. This
business he closely followed for more
than 30 years, winning by his extensive
dealings and shipments, the appellation
OF Seattle King of Maine"
In 1873 he moved to Burnham, on the
Maine Central Railroad, and made that
town the livestock center Of Maine, Mr..
Libby has not, however, confined his
industry and abilities to the cattle
business. He has written more than a
thousand articles for publication In
New England newspapers, mostly on
topics relating to agriculture.
In 1892 Mr.. Libby moved to the city
Of Waterville. He had for long term
of years been director In the Peoples
National Bank Of that city, and In 1892
he was elected president Of the Water
Vile Trust and Safe Deposit Company.
In 1893 he purchased from A. r. Gerald
of Fairfield, the Waterville h Fairfield
Street Railway and Lighting plants, and
became president Of both these enter
prises. He was the first president of
the Maine Condensed MIX Company,
with factories located ct Newport and
winthrop, Maine, and Whitefeld, New
Hampshire. He has also constructed,
In connection with A. r. Gerald, the
Calais & st. Stephen, the Skowhegan &
Norridgewock, and the Bangor, Orono
& Old Town Street Railways, Of all Of
which companies he was treasurer.
He has been always Republican In
politics, and has held various municipal
offices in all the towns 10 which he has
resided. He represented q strongly
Democratic class In the Maine Legisla-
ture from 1885 to 1889, and was men,
Der Of the Republican national conven-
ton of 1888, that nominated Benjamin
Harrison. He was . member of the
Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities,
and an honorary member Of all temper
ance societies 10 Maine. Mr.. Libby has
never drank or taken for medicine alco-
holic liquors, and never smoked or used
tobacco 10 any form. He was a consis-
tent believer In virtue and uprightness,
and while having no religious preferen-
ces always contributed literally to sup
port the preaching OF the gospel. He
WAS married 10 1859 to Helen NJ. Green
OF Troy, Maine, who survives him, also
seven sons, Arthur Preston, Charles
Everett, Howard Isaac, Ernest LeoDald,
Frank Leroy, Pearl Ashton, and Her
bert Carlyle, and one daughter, Helen
N. Green Libby. Six OF the sons are
able anrfpsuccessful business men In
Maine and the West; the youngest, II.
g. Libby, Is 10 college, and Helen
N. Green Libby, the only daughter,
was recently married to DR.. William
NJ. Pulslfer of Waterville.