Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-27
MRS, ANSON libby
TO CELEBRATE 83RD
BIRTHDAY QUIETLY
f 3 Morrill,

49,
avenue will celebrate her S3th birth
day anniversary today quietly at her
home. A coincidence in the date is
due to the fact that it is also the
9th anniversary of her coming to
this city, where she has ever since
made her home.
Mrs. Libby was born in North
Fairfield, or what is now the town
of Hinckley, where she attended the
public schools in the fall and win
ter of each year. She was the daugh-
ter of John and Bloomie Noble and
was then known as Miss Rhoda No
BILE. While still young girl, she left
school and went to work, house
keeping, as the majority of daugh-
ters did at that time. Later she
came to Waterville to visit her sister
who lived on Main street and passed
some time in North Belgrade work.
ing.
In the summer of 1855. she was
married to Arson O. Libby, Cival
War veteran, by the Rev. Mr.. Shell
don. Mr. Libby came from New
port and is one of the Oldest mem
bers of the Masonic lodge in Water
willie.
They lived in the home on Morrill,
avenue that Mr.. Libby himself built
nearly so years ago.
She is one of the few charter
members of Martha Washington
chapter. o. E. S., that are still llv-
ing. She was chaplain for five years
and has held several different Of
fees in the lodge from time to time.
She also belongs to the w. S. Heath
circle and attends nearly every
meeting which comes twice month.
In speaking of the growth Of Wa
teryille since her arrival Mrs. Libby
declared that no person in business
then was on Main street now. A
few of the older concerns are still
doing business, such as Kennison's
Grocery store and the Peavy Bros,
Clothing store.
Grocery stores are certainly
plentiful now" remarked Mrs. Lib
by. smiling, for there are five In
our neighborhood at the present
time, Little stores but handy to run
too, when we don't care to go down
street. remember that there were
lust two when / came here
And grocery stores were not only
scarce in those days, for Mrs. Libby
declared that there was only one
drug store in those days. Clothing
establishments were doing business
then but not at all in the same way
that they do now. Most every mousse
wife and daughter. learned TO Sc"
and make their own clothing. saw
ing a large expense to the family:
Some concerns took advantage Oh
their skill and hired them to do work
on suits and dresses. The majority
of the clothing sold at Peavy's store
then. was made by housewives III
this city and in the country districts
about.
what did you do for entertain
mont ." was asked Mrs. Libby yes
terday.
mot a great DEAL" she answered,
with a twinkle in her eye. I'VE were
more contented to stay at home In
those days, perhaps than the young
people are now--Or else we had 70.
We used to have the circus to look
forward to and when it came near
" everyone attended"
Ar this time she mentioned that
she could look across the street from
her window to the old field where
the famous Barnum and Bailey
shows used to entertain the croWds.
For the past winter Mrs. Llppy
has not been out a great deal pul
this spring she is feeling much pet
ter and expects to go out a great
deal. She has a great sense OF hu-
NOR and is an easy winner of frlends.
of whom she has many. Modest ana
retiring in disposition but a Wiling
and interested worker in all that she
undertakes. Mrs. Libby is an en-
ceptionally popular woman in her
neighborhood and social organiza-
tons.
She and her husband have one
daughter. Annie, who is the wife OF
w. c. Emery. and a granddaughter.
Miss Hazel Emery, withwhom they
live in the same house. Today a
host of friends will extend their con-
rratulations and wishes for many
ot,,rrc of ber birthday anniversary.