History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 26

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780

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In Masonry he has attained such a world-wide reputation that he may be almost said to have won his greatest fame there. He was made a Mason in Waterville Lodge, No. 33, in 1849, and was elected its Master in 1856-57. In 1858-59 he was elected Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine, and in 1860, 1861, and 1862, Grand Mas- ter. In 1865 he was appointed chairman of the committee on foreign correspondenee, and has filled that position ever since, having prepared fifteen annual reports, each making nearly one hundred and fifty octavo pages of fine type, or a fairly-sized volume of itself. This work has been so ably done, and is so authoritative on Masonic law, that it has been widely copied in the proceedings of other Grand Lodges, and has done much to shape Masonic legislation in this country, especially in regard to settling the question of territorial jurisdiction according to the rules which he so ably laid down in his discussion with the Grand Lodge of England in 1861.

lle was made a Royal Arch Mason in Jerusalem Chapter, at HIallowell, in 1858, and was its second officer in 1859. In 1862 he was High Priest of Greenleaf Chapter, in Port- land. From 1860 to 1867 he was an officer in the Grand Chapter of Maine, being the Grand High Priest in 1866-67. In 1871 he was elected General Grand High Priest of the United States for the term of three years.

He received the Cryptic degrees in Portland Council in 1861, and in 1868 presided over the Grand Council.

Ile was made a Knight Templar in Maine Commandery, at Gardiner, in 1860, and elected Captain-General the same year. In 1862 he joined Portland Commandery, and was at once elected Generalissimo. In 1866 he helped form St. Alban Commandery, and was its first Commander, being re- elected in 1867. In the Grand Commandery of Maine he has held many offices, commencing as early as 1864, was Grand Commander for the year 1878, and still holds that office. In the Grand Chapter, he has been chairman of the committee on foreign correspondenee about as long as in the Grand Lodge, and has also filled the same position in the Grand Council and Grand Commandery for many years, so that his Masonie writings fill thousands of printed pages.

Ile received the degrees of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite in 1861-62, and was honored with the thirty- third degree in the latter year. He was at once elected Lieutenant Grand Commander, which place he hell until he was wade Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonie Jurisdiction, in 1867. This office, the highest in the gift of the fraternity, he has held since that time, and is considered to have discharged its duties with singular ability, as, indeed, he has the duties of every office which he has ever held.

The important positions which he has filled for many years have made him widely known, and his acquaintance eagerly sought by his brethren, not only in all parts of

asever, Yours

Yours fraternally Javiale H. Krumand

l'hoto, by Lamson, Portland.

His great-grandfather, Ebenezer Virgin, came from Eng- land to Salisbury, Mass., in the year 1722, and was admitted a proprietor of Pennacook (Concord, N. H.), by payment of twenty shillings, by vote of the committee of the General Court, February, 1725. He was one of the first settlers of Concord. His second son, Ebenezer Virgin, was grand- father, whose ninth and youngest child was Peter C. Virgio, father of William Wirt Virgin.

Peter C. Virgin was born in Concord, July 25, 1783. He removed to Rumford, Me., in 1806, where he married Sally, daughter of Francis Keyes, one of the first settlers of Rumford.

He was a student at Harvard College for two years in early life, was a practicing lawyer in Rumford for sixty years, county attorney, and member of the General Court for several years, and he was prominently identified with and a staunch supporter of the old Federalist party. He died in 1872.

William Wirt Virgin was born in Rumford, Sept. 18, 1823. He received his preliminary education in the academies at North Bridgton and Bethel, Me., and grad- uated at Bowdoin College with the usual honors in 1844. He studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1847, and removed to Norway, Me., where he practiced law until 1871.

While a resident of Norway, Oxford Co., he was county attorney for three years, and a member of the State Scuate in 1865-66. During the latter year he served as pres- ident of the Senate, and the same year resigned this position, and was appointed reporter of decisions, which office he held until December, 1872, when he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

As reporter of decisions of the court of which afterwards he became an associate justice, by his lucid statement of the case, and his concise and clear exposition in the mar- ginal notes of the precise points decided, he proved him- self a worthy successor of the many able Maine re- porters, of whom the distinguished Simeon Greenleaf was the earliest.

As a judge his deportment was dignified and courteous, and his rulings prompt and accurate. To a nice sense of right he added elear and quick apprehension of legal prin- ciples, and extensive acquaintance with reported cases. His written opinions, found in the " Maine Reports," exhibit his mental characteristics and force. In style and substance they are productions on which he may well be content to rest his judicial reputation. It is to be regretted that, by the legislation reducing the number of justices of the Su- preme Judicial Court, the public are to lose the services of one whose continued judicial career could not fail to be so useful and honorable to the State.

Judge Virgin has ever been interested in all questions affecting local and national legislation, and during the late Rebellion he took an active part in support of the Union cause. In 1862 he raised the 23d Regiment of Maine Infantry,-five companies from each of Oxford and Androscoggin Counties,-of which he was elected colonel. This regiment was employed about the de- fenses of Washington and vicinity during their time of service,-nine months,-and although they were never in any engagement on the battle-field, yet it is said that the discipline of this regiment, and their standard of morality, were not exceeded by any regiments of the army.

W. M. Putting

101

CUMBERLAND BENCH AND BAR.

America, but in Europe; although, perhaps, the highest commendation that can be given him is to say that he is best beloved at home, where he is best known. To him Maine is indebted very largely for the high stand she takes in the Masonic world, and it is safe to say that after Thomas Smith Webb, who gave form to Masonry in this country, no man has done more for it than Mr. Drummond. As an orator, his fine voice and commanding form make him very attract- ive ; as a writer, his clear and sharply-cut way of stating facts make him most convincing ; as a working officer, he has been always much admired. It is a significant fact, that when a Masonie address is wanted in Maine, the first choice almost invariably falls upon him, and the constant demands of an arduous profession hardly serve to proteet him from continual service in this direction. When Mr. Drummond commenced his Masonic career there were only about sixty thousand Masons in this country ; now there are about six hundred thousand, most of whom are familiar with his name. With such an immense audience, his writ- ings cannot but be a power in Masonry. In the midst of his other multifarious duties he has found time to write a monitor and digest of Masonic Jaw, which has been adopted as the standard in this State, and it is understood that he is turning his attention to important historical work in con- neetion with the order. For this labor he is admirably qualified, and we may anticipate from him in future even more brilliant work than that done in the past.

The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by Colby University in 1871.

MOSES MORRILL BUTLER was born in Sanford, Me., March 8, 1824, and died in Portland, Me., Oct. 21, 1879. He was the son of Ichabod Butler, a practicing lawyer in that town, and Mary Wise, daughter of Capt. Daniel Wise, of Kennebunk. His father, by his mother's side, was con- nected with the Wentworth family of New Hampshire, and he was born and brought up in South Berwick. The hill back of the village in that town is called Butler Hill to the present day, having been a part of the family estate.

Mr. Butler was fitted for college in the schools of' Alfred, Gorham, and North Yarmouth, and entered Bowdoin Col- lege in 1841, where he graduated at the head of his class in 1845. Immediately after graduation he was en- gaged for a time in teaching a high school in Springvale, at the same time pursuing his studies to fit him for the pro- fession of the law. Ile afterwards studied with Hon. E. E. Bourne, of Kennebunk, and completed his legal course with Hon. Samuel Wells, of Portland, subsequently one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Maine. He was ad- mitted to the Cumberland bar in 1847. He took the office vacated by Mr. Wells, and shortly afterwards the business of Ilon. Augustine llaines, district attorney of the United States, on the latter's retirement from the legal profession.

Subsequently Mr. Butler formed a law partnership with Ilon. William Pitt Fessenden, United States Senator from Maine, which was continued with the senator's sons, ex- Mayor Francis Fessenden and James D. Fessenden, register of the court in bankruptcy. In December, 1873, he formed a partnership with his nephew, Charles F. Libby, Esq., Jate proseenting attorney for Cumberland County, which was continued up to the time of his deceasc.

Mr. Butler was county attorney from 1859 to 1865, Rep- resentative to the Legislature in 1859, and was Representa- tive elect at the time of his decease. lle was mayor of Portland in 1877 and 1878, and was a member of the com- mission appointed to report on the condition of the Port- land and Ogdensburg and Portland and Rochester Rail- roads, and what disposition had better be made of them. Ile had been a director in the Cumberland Bank, and was a director of the Portland Fraternity. Ile was a member of the First Parish (Unitarian) society, and officiated as moderator at the parish meetings.

He married, in 1850, Olive M., only daughter of John Storer, of Sanford, Me. Of this union were born three children,-two sons and a daughter,-the oldest of whom, John Storer Butler, died in infancy. His widow and two children, Harry and Grace Butler, survive him.

From the beginning Mr. Butler was an able and snecess- ful lawyer. In investigation he was laborions, discrimi- nating, and thorough, and in the conduct of business prompt and sagacious. He always presented the strongest point of his case and maintained it with his whole strength. At a younger age than most of the eminent lawyers he managed an extensive practice in all branches of the pro- fession. An untiring student, a convincing advocate, care- fully preparing his cases, with great powers of cross-exami- nation and excellent judgment, he soon attained the foremost rank. At middle age he was prostrated by fever, cansed by excessive labor. Upon his return to his profession his accurate learning, his great experience at the bar, his judi- cial temperament, and his habits of profound investigation, united to a firm yet amiable temper and pure life, qualified him for the highest judicial positions, and he was spoken of for such service. He would have adorned the bench.

At this period of his life the affairs of the city of Port- land and its relations with its public enterprises required examination and advice. The city appointed Mr. Butler the chairman of a commission for this purpose. To this work he brought those great qualities which had distin- guished him at the bar, laboring for his adopted city with characteristic carnestness, and declining remuneration. In a report remarkable for its clear exposition of long and in- tricate relations between the city and its railroads, its correct estimate of the situation of affairs, the wisdom of its sug- gestions, and the vigor and propriety of its style, he placed the whole subject before his fellow-citizens. This invaluable service made him so pre-eminently suitable that, although cisinelined to public office, he was twice compelled to aceept the mayoralty of the city. His administration of city af- fairs could not be surpassed. He managed its interests with an information which no other man possessed, and with re- sults which no other man has accomplished. His tried abilities and knowledge of affairs were too valuable to his fellow-citizens to be suffered out of their service, and he was now clected to the Legislature at a time of special impor- tance to the city. Before the assembling of the Legislature, while in court conducting a trial, he was struck down by paralysis, which in a few days proved fatal. The universal sorrow of all parties at his death was the noblest tribute to his memory. His fellow-citizens lost his services at the fullness of his powers, when he was most able to serve them,

102

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

and with his place in their regard constantly increasing. His official papers show his capacity for public affairs, and his tribute to his college president, Leonard Woods, deliv- ered in Portland in 1878, at the annual meeting of the association of the resident alumni of Bowdoin College, ex- hibits his power of refined and tender eloquence. A self- sacrificing, public-spirited citizen, a useful member of his church, a distinguished lawyer, a kind husband, a wise and gentle father, and a good man, he evaded no duties and acted his part well.

The following resolutions on the death of Mr. Butler were adopted by the City Council of Portland, Nov. 3, 1879 :

" In testimony of sorrow, and as a tribute to the memory of the late Moses M. Butter, so recently and so acceptably mayor of this city, and nt the time of his death a representative elect to the Legislature, the City Council adopt the following resolutions :

" Resolred, That we recognize in the life and character of Mr. But- ler, his learning and ability, his fidelity in all his public and private duties, his patient industry, his simplicity of purpose, his unassuming manners, his zeal in behalf of public education, social order, and Christian advancement; and while we are grateful that we have had his services so long, we are yet saddened with the thought that we shall have them no more forever.

" Resolved, That we tender to his sorrowing family our sincere sym- pathy in their bereavement in the loss of a devoted husband and kind and indulgent father.

" Resolved, That these resolutions be extended upon the city records, as a part of this evening's proceedings, and that a copy of them he forwarded to his widow and children by the city clerk, properly authenticated."

SULLIVAN C. ANDREWS .- The Andrews, in this country, are descendants from three Englishmen, brothers, who came over about 1630. John settled at New Haven, Coun., Wil- liam, at Wallingford, Conn., and Thomas, at Taunton, Mass. They were descendants of Bishop Lancelot Andrews, D.D., an eminent English divine, born in London, 1555, and died at Winchester House, Sept. 25, 1626. Ile was successively bishop of Chichester, of Ely, and of Winchester, and was made a privy counselor by King James I. He was him- self a great scholar. William Andrews came to New Haven, Conn., in 1638, from Hampsworth, England. Richard Andrews, merchant, in Cheapside, London, Eng- land, a godly man, having lent five hundred pounds to Plymouth Colony in New England, gave it to the poor. He was an alderman in London, and was also one of the associates of the Plymouth Colony, in 1626. Bradford says the colony of Massachusetts Bay would have failed, had it not been for the money and credit of the Andrews of England, in connection with Shirley. Winthrop says he gave many cattle by Mr. Ilumfry, and five hundred and forty-four pounds by Mr. Peter, to the colony. Thomas Andrews was a London merchant, and lord mayor of Lon- don in 1650, and made Cotton Mather his chaplain. Thomas Andrews, the emigrant, was a member of the General Court of the Governor and Colony of Massachu- setts Bay, in New England, in 1629. From this fact it is supposed he was one who came over in 1630 with Gov- ernor Winthrop and about fifteen hundred persons to settle Boston. The court had two sessions that year, and he was one of the anditing committee.

Poland, Me., in 1785, where he remained a short time, and then settled with his family in Paris, Oxford Co., Me. He married Betsey Nevens, of Poland, a lady of high moral worth and Christian excellence. They had five sons and five daughters, who reached manhood and womanhood, and occupied highly respectable positions in society. One son, Charles, was a man of distinguished ability, both as a lawyer and politician. He died while a member of Cou- gress, in 1852, a little less than thirty-nine years of age.

Alfred Andrews, father of Sullivan C. Andrews, was born in Paris, March 9, 1800, and died Dee. 14, 1864, at that place. Ile was a merchant for forty years of his life, mostly on Paris IFill, but for some years in Portland, where he removed in 1840. Returning to Paris in 1844, he retired from business. lle was a man of decided ability and ami- able character, and respected by all who enjoyed his ac- quaintance. He was called to fill many places of trust by his fellow-citizens, and was a member of the State Legis- lature in 1832 and 1833. He married, in 1824, Eliza St. Clair, daughter of Caleb Cushman, a soldier of the Revo- lution, a large land-owner, and a near descendant of Robert Cushman, the first, or one of the first, clergymen of the Plymouth Colony.

Sullivan C. Andrews was born on Paris Hill, June 18, 1825. lle received his preliminary education in town and high schools at home, and at Dixfield and Hebron Academy. During his residence at Portland he attended the private English high school of B. F. Fernald, and was prepared for college in the Portland Academy. He had formed a desire for the profession of the law, and had received instruction in the same in the office of his uncle, before eoming to Portland. In 1843, deciding not to take a full course, he entered the law-office of B. F. Cummings, of Paris Hill, where he remained a diligent, student for one year, and entered the law department of Harvard University, at Cambridge, from which he graduated with the usual honors in 1846, and at the April term of the same year was admitted to the Portland bar. He then spent one year in the law-office of his uncle, Hon. Charles Andrews, then clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for Oxford County, and in May, 1847, opened an office in Buekfield, in the same county, where, in a few years, he established himself in a large and lucrative practice, often aiding others as senior counsel.

He was honored by his townsmen with various positions of trust. In 1855 he was elected county attorney for three years, and in 1867 he was elected a member of the Legis- lature. Ile has been a member of the Democratic State Committee, and was a delegate to the National Convention at Baltimore, in 1872. In 1864, Mr. Andrews was the un- successful candidate for member of Congress in the Second District. In 1873 he removed from Buckfield and settled in Portland, where he has since resided, and has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Since 1862 he has been engaged largely in outside business, and in 1877, in connection with ex-Governor Washburn, Hon. Otis Hayford, and N. L. Marshall, he purchased the Port- land and Oxford Central Railroad, running from Mechanic Falls to Canton, about thirty miles, which they have

The great-grandfather of Sullivan C. Andrews was David, who lived in Taunton, Mass. His grandfather, Edward Andrews, born in Taunton, Mass., Dec. 20, 1767, went to | thoroughly rebuilt and are now operating successfully.

HeAndrews

l'hoto, by Lamson, l'ortland.

nathan Clavesu

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 elass were Gen. Jonathan P. C'illey, of Rock- land ; Gen. Francis Fessenden, late mayor of Port- land ; Judge Lysander Hill, of Washington ; Hon. E. B. Neally, of Bangor ; Hon. Ellis Spear, late Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C .; and Rev. Frank Sewall, President of Urbana University. He read law with the well-known law firm of How- ard & Strout, Portland, and was admitted to the bar of Cumberland County in April, 1861. He commeneed practice in Bowdoinham, Sagadahoc Co., Maine, but removed 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 accom- plished 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 Cum- berland County from 1876 to 1880.

Judge Cleaves continues the practice of his pro- fession, and is associated in business with his brother, Hon. Henry B. Cleaves.

Photo, by Lamson.

HON. MARQUIS D. L. LANE.

Hon. Marquis D. L. Lane, fourth son of John Lane, was born at Hollis, York Co., June 11, 1825. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1848, and studied law in the office of H. J. Swazy, in Stand- ish. He began the practice of law in Lowell, Mass., but removed to Portland in 1855, and in 1857 was elected judge of the Municipal Court, which office he resigned in 1862 to assume the duties of consul to Vera Cruz, to which position he was appointed by President Lincoln.

During this most critical period he served his country with marked ability, dignity, and fearless- ness, and his name is held in respeet and honor beeause he refused to display the flag of the United States when Maximilian, the French invader, en- tered the port of Mexico, notwithstanding all other nations saluted him.

On aeeount of the illness of his wife, who was with him in Vera Cruz, he resigned his position, and in 1867 returned home to practice his profes- sion.

In 1868 he was elected Senator from Cumberland County, and re-elected in 1869 aud 1870. During the last year of his service he was chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1871 he was appointed judge of the Superior Court, made vacant by the resignation of Judge Goddard, and entered upon the duties of that office at the November term.

Judge Lane died Sept. 15, 1872, in Portland, of malarial fever contracted in Virginia, where he was summoned by the dangerous illness of his brother.

By traveling night and day he arrived in time to save his brother's life by promptly removing him, against the protest of the physicians, from the mal- arial region where he had been brought to the verge of death. Judge Lane reached home with his brother just before the September session of his court, ex- hausted by anxiety, watching, heat, and fatigue; in spite of which he opened the term, but on the fourth day he was obliged to yield to a malarial fever which had fastened upon him, and which afterwards made such rapid and fatal progress as to terminate his honorable and useful life at the age of forty- seven.

He was an attendant of St. Stephen's Church in Portland, and, although not a member, his loss was greatly felt by the church. During his residenee in Vera Cruz he was instrumental in building up the interests of the Episcopal Mission in Mexico.

In all the relations of life Judge Lane acquitted himself with honor, and his was a character of rare excellence. All recognized in him the courteous gentleman, the warm friend, the honest judge.

Judge Lane married Miss Elizabeth Chadbourn, daughter of Hon. Benjamin Chadbourn, of Standish. They have two sons,-George E., born May 30, 1856, and Thomas, born July 4, 1858. Mrs. Lane now resides in Brunswick, where the eldest son is studying medicine with Dr. Mitehell, and attending lectures at the Maine Medical School. The younger son is a member of the sophomore class of Bowdoin College.

Photo. by Lamson, Portland.

Charles & Clifford

CHARLES EDWARD CLIFFORD, eldest son of Mr. Justice Clifford, of the United States Supreme Conrt, was born in the town of Newfield, York Co., Me., Nov. 3, 1828. He received his pre- liminary education in the Parsonfield and Limerick Academies; fitted for college at North Yarmouth Academy, and graduated at Harvard College in 1850. He read law with his father in Portland, to which place the family removed in 1849, and was admitted to the Cumberland County bar Aug. 1, 1853. After practicing one year with his father, he formed a law partnership with his uncle, Hon. C. R. Ayer (Ayer & Clifford) ex-Secre- tary of State, of Cornish, Me., where he remained for several years. In 1857 he went to San Fran- cisco, Cal., where he practiced his profession in the United States district attorney's office as assistant.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 26

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 780

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780