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Nathan Cleaves

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Nathan Cleaves

Birth
Bridgton, Cumberland County, Maine, USA
Death
5 Sep 1892 (aged 57)
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA
Burial
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA Add to Map
Plot
Sec-U Lot-403 Grv-4
Memorial ID
View Source
JUDGE NATHAN CLEAVES was born in Bridgton, Me., January 9, 1835, being the son of Thomas and Sophia (Bradstreet) Cleaves. He died at his residence in Portland, Me., on Monday morning, September 5, 1892. His boyhood days were spent at Bridgton and in Portland. He fitted for college at the Portland Academy and entered Bowdoin in 1854, graduating in 1858. Among his classmates were Gen. Francis Fessenden of Portland, Gen. J. P. Cilley of Rockland, Hon. E. B. Nealley of Bangor, Gen. Ellis Spear of Washington, D. C., and the Rev. Frank Sewall. Selecting the law as his profession, he studied with Hon. Joseph Howard and Hon. Sewall C. Strout and was admitted to the Bar in Cumberland County, at the April term, 1861, of the Supreme Judicial Court. He opened an office in Bowdoinham, Me., and subsequently removed to Portland, forming a law partnership with the Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, then a member of Congress from the Portland District. This relation continued until July, 1864, when he formed a partnership with the late Hon. Joseph Howard under the firm name of Howard & Cleaves. This partnership continued until the decease of Judge Howard, when the law firm of Nathan & Henry B. Cleaves was formed, to which firm subsequently Stephen C. Perry was admitted as a member. Nathan Cleaves married, in May, 1865, Caroline, the accomplished daughter of Judge Howard. Mrs. Cleaves died at Augusta, in February, 1875, while her husband was there as a Representative to the Legislature from the City of Portland.

In politics Judge Cleaves was a Democrat, loyal to his party, but "lie subordinated his political conduct to his manhood." He was a man of very great personal popularity and was many times honored with public office, being City Solicitor of Portland in 1869, Representative to the State Legislature in 1871 and in 1875, Judge of the Probate Court from 1876 to 1880, Surveyor of the Port of Portland for four years, and has frequently been a delegate to conventions, both State and National. At the State Convention of the Democratic party, in 1892, he was unanimously selected as a delegate-at-large to the Chicago Convention that nominated Cleveland and Stevenson, being chairman of the Maine delegation.

Judge Cleaves was connected with very many business enterprises and corporations. He was President of the Ellsworth Water Company, a Director in the Cumberland National Bank of Portland, the First National Bank of Bar Harbor, the Westbrook Trust Company, and other leading business and financial corporations of the State. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Odd Fellows, Ex-President of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and a member and officer of many charitable organizations, the treasuries of which have many times felt ihe benefit of his quiet but effective generosity. He was a faithful and devoted member of St. Luke's Parish and for many years one of its vestrymen.

Judge Cleaves was in active practice for a period of more than thirty years. He attained great prominence in the profession he loved so much, and always enjoyed the confidence, respect, and esteem of the Bench and the Bar, and of the entire community.- "REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MAINE- A Collection of Biographical Sketches". Prepared under the direction of Henry Chase, Portland, ME. The Lakeside Press, Publisher 1893

Nathan Cleaves, son of Thomas and Sophia (Bradstreet) Cleaves, of Bridgton, Cumberland Co., was born Jan. 9, 1835. He prepared for college at Portland Academy, and graduated at Bowdoin College in 1858. Among the prominent members of his class were Gen. Jonathan P. Cilley, of Rockland ; Gen. Francis Fessenden, late mayor of Portland; Judge Lysander Hill, of Washington; Hon. E. B. Neally, of Bangor; Hon. Ellis Spear, late Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. ; and llev. Frank Sewall, President of Urbana University. He read law with the well-known law firm of Howard & Strout, Portland, and was admitted to the bar of Cumberland County in April, 1861. He commenced practice in Bowdoinham, Sagadahoc Co., Maine, but moved to Portland in 1862, and formed a law partnership with Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, then member of Congress. This relation continued until July, 1864, when he entered into partnership with the late Judge Howard, which was terminated by his death, December, 1877. He married. May 10, 1865, Caroline, the accomplished daughter of Judge Howard, who died at Augusta, during the session of the Legislature, in February, 1875. He was elected city solicitor of Portland in 1869, a member of the State Legislature from Portland in 1871 and 1875, and judge of probate for Cumberland County from 1876 to 1880. Judge Cleaves continued the practice of his profession, and is associated in business with his brother, Hon. Henry B. Cleaves.- History of Cumberland Co, Maine : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers." (Philadelphia, Everts & Peck 1880)

In his hometown of Bridgton, Maine, he and his brother Henry erected the Civil War monument.
Town/County: Bridgton, Maine
Location: Main and High Streets
Type: Soldier Statue
Materials: Bronze Statue, Granite Base
Date Erected: 1910
Date Dedicated: July 21, 1910
Maker/Sculptor: Hallowell Granite Company
Source of Funding: Henry B. Cleaves, Nathan Cleaves
Principal inscriptions: To Bridgton's Sons/Who Defended The Union/1861-1865/Presented By Nathan And Henry B. Cleaves/In Honor/Of The Living/In/Grateful Memory/Of The Dead/One Country/One Destiny/One Flag/They Strove That The Nation/Might Live, That Government Of The People/By The People/For The People, should Not Perish
References: Dedication of Soldiers' Monument, Bridgton, Maine, 1912; Portland Sunday Telegram, July 17, 1910; Lewiston Evening Journal, July 21, 1910; Portland Evening Express, July 21, 1910 with picture.

Parents: Thomas Cleaves (1799-1881), Sophia Bradstreet Cleaves (Nov 21, 1804- Dec 16, 1882). Siblings: Robert A (b.abt 1832), Thomas P (b.abt 1837), Mary F (b.abt 1845).



1850 Federal Census for Bridgton, Cumberland, Maine: Thomas Cleaves, age 51, Occupation: farmer, Value of real estate: $2500, Sophia B, age 45, Robert A, age 18, Occupation: farmer, Nathan, age 15, Occupation: farmer, Thomas P, age 13, Henry B, age 10, Mary F, age 5, all born in Maine.

1860 Federal Census for Bridgton, Cumberland, Maine: Thos. Cleaves, age 61, Occupation: farmer, Value of real estate: $3000, Value of personal estate: $500, Sophia B, age 55, Robert A, age 28, Occupation: Livery stable keeper, Value of personal estate: $1500, Nathan, age 25, Occupation: lawyer, Henry B, age 20, Occupation: student at college, Mary S, age 15, all born in Maine.

1863- Civil War draft registration in June in Portland: age 28, single, Occupation: reporter (court ?).

1865- Marriage on May 10th in Portland: Nathan Cleaves and Caroline Howard, both of Portland by Rev. A. Burgess, clergyman.

1870 Federal Census for Portland, Cumberland, Maine: Nathan Cleaves, age 36, Occupation: lawyer, Value of real estate: $5000, Value of personal estate: $2000, Caroline C, age 38, Joseph Howard, age 70, Occupation: lawyer, Value of real estate: $8000, Value of personal estate: $12000, all born in Maine.
JUDGE NATHAN CLEAVES was born in Bridgton, Me., January 9, 1835, being the son of Thomas and Sophia (Bradstreet) Cleaves. He died at his residence in Portland, Me., on Monday morning, September 5, 1892. His boyhood days were spent at Bridgton and in Portland. He fitted for college at the Portland Academy and entered Bowdoin in 1854, graduating in 1858. Among his classmates were Gen. Francis Fessenden of Portland, Gen. J. P. Cilley of Rockland, Hon. E. B. Nealley of Bangor, Gen. Ellis Spear of Washington, D. C., and the Rev. Frank Sewall. Selecting the law as his profession, he studied with Hon. Joseph Howard and Hon. Sewall C. Strout and was admitted to the Bar in Cumberland County, at the April term, 1861, of the Supreme Judicial Court. He opened an office in Bowdoinham, Me., and subsequently removed to Portland, forming a law partnership with the Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, then a member of Congress from the Portland District. This relation continued until July, 1864, when he formed a partnership with the late Hon. Joseph Howard under the firm name of Howard & Cleaves. This partnership continued until the decease of Judge Howard, when the law firm of Nathan & Henry B. Cleaves was formed, to which firm subsequently Stephen C. Perry was admitted as a member. Nathan Cleaves married, in May, 1865, Caroline, the accomplished daughter of Judge Howard. Mrs. Cleaves died at Augusta, in February, 1875, while her husband was there as a Representative to the Legislature from the City of Portland.

In politics Judge Cleaves was a Democrat, loyal to his party, but "lie subordinated his political conduct to his manhood." He was a man of very great personal popularity and was many times honored with public office, being City Solicitor of Portland in 1869, Representative to the State Legislature in 1871 and in 1875, Judge of the Probate Court from 1876 to 1880, Surveyor of the Port of Portland for four years, and has frequently been a delegate to conventions, both State and National. At the State Convention of the Democratic party, in 1892, he was unanimously selected as a delegate-at-large to the Chicago Convention that nominated Cleveland and Stevenson, being chairman of the Maine delegation.

Judge Cleaves was connected with very many business enterprises and corporations. He was President of the Ellsworth Water Company, a Director in the Cumberland National Bank of Portland, the First National Bank of Bar Harbor, the Westbrook Trust Company, and other leading business and financial corporations of the State. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Odd Fellows, Ex-President of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and a member and officer of many charitable organizations, the treasuries of which have many times felt ihe benefit of his quiet but effective generosity. He was a faithful and devoted member of St. Luke's Parish and for many years one of its vestrymen.

Judge Cleaves was in active practice for a period of more than thirty years. He attained great prominence in the profession he loved so much, and always enjoyed the confidence, respect, and esteem of the Bench and the Bar, and of the entire community.- "REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MAINE- A Collection of Biographical Sketches". Prepared under the direction of Henry Chase, Portland, ME. The Lakeside Press, Publisher 1893

Nathan Cleaves, son of Thomas and Sophia (Bradstreet) Cleaves, of Bridgton, Cumberland Co., was born Jan. 9, 1835. He prepared for college at Portland Academy, and graduated at Bowdoin College in 1858. Among the prominent members of his class were Gen. Jonathan P. Cilley, of Rockland ; Gen. Francis Fessenden, late mayor of Portland; Judge Lysander Hill, of Washington; Hon. E. B. Neally, of Bangor; Hon. Ellis Spear, late Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. ; and llev. Frank Sewall, President of Urbana University. He read law with the well-known law firm of Howard & Strout, Portland, and was admitted to the bar of Cumberland County in April, 1861. He commenced practice in Bowdoinham, Sagadahoc Co., Maine, but moved to Portland in 1862, and formed a law partnership with Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, then member of Congress. This relation continued until July, 1864, when he entered into partnership with the late Judge Howard, which was terminated by his death, December, 1877. He married. May 10, 1865, Caroline, the accomplished daughter of Judge Howard, who died at Augusta, during the session of the Legislature, in February, 1875. He was elected city solicitor of Portland in 1869, a member of the State Legislature from Portland in 1871 and 1875, and judge of probate for Cumberland County from 1876 to 1880. Judge Cleaves continued the practice of his profession, and is associated in business with his brother, Hon. Henry B. Cleaves.- History of Cumberland Co, Maine : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers." (Philadelphia, Everts & Peck 1880)

In his hometown of Bridgton, Maine, he and his brother Henry erected the Civil War monument.
Town/County: Bridgton, Maine
Location: Main and High Streets
Type: Soldier Statue
Materials: Bronze Statue, Granite Base
Date Erected: 1910
Date Dedicated: July 21, 1910
Maker/Sculptor: Hallowell Granite Company
Source of Funding: Henry B. Cleaves, Nathan Cleaves
Principal inscriptions: To Bridgton's Sons/Who Defended The Union/1861-1865/Presented By Nathan And Henry B. Cleaves/In Honor/Of The Living/In/Grateful Memory/Of The Dead/One Country/One Destiny/One Flag/They Strove That The Nation/Might Live, That Government Of The People/By The People/For The People, should Not Perish
References: Dedication of Soldiers' Monument, Bridgton, Maine, 1912; Portland Sunday Telegram, July 17, 1910; Lewiston Evening Journal, July 21, 1910; Portland Evening Express, July 21, 1910 with picture.

Parents: Thomas Cleaves (1799-1881), Sophia Bradstreet Cleaves (Nov 21, 1804- Dec 16, 1882). Siblings: Robert A (b.abt 1832), Thomas P (b.abt 1837), Mary F (b.abt 1845).



1850 Federal Census for Bridgton, Cumberland, Maine: Thomas Cleaves, age 51, Occupation: farmer, Value of real estate: $2500, Sophia B, age 45, Robert A, age 18, Occupation: farmer, Nathan, age 15, Occupation: farmer, Thomas P, age 13, Henry B, age 10, Mary F, age 5, all born in Maine.

1860 Federal Census for Bridgton, Cumberland, Maine: Thos. Cleaves, age 61, Occupation: farmer, Value of real estate: $3000, Value of personal estate: $500, Sophia B, age 55, Robert A, age 28, Occupation: Livery stable keeper, Value of personal estate: $1500, Nathan, age 25, Occupation: lawyer, Henry B, age 20, Occupation: student at college, Mary S, age 15, all born in Maine.

1863- Civil War draft registration in June in Portland: age 28, single, Occupation: reporter (court ?).

1865- Marriage on May 10th in Portland: Nathan Cleaves and Caroline Howard, both of Portland by Rev. A. Burgess, clergyman.

1870 Federal Census for Portland, Cumberland, Maine: Nathan Cleaves, age 36, Occupation: lawyer, Value of real estate: $5000, Value of personal estate: $2000, Caroline C, age 38, Joseph Howard, age 70, Occupation: lawyer, Value of real estate: $8000, Value of personal estate: $12000, all born in Maine.


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