Henry B. Cleaves
Encyclopedia
Henry Bradstreet Cleaves (February 6, 1840 – June 22, 1912) was an American
politician
and the 43rd Governor of Maine
.
. He enlisted in the summer of 1862, as a private soldier in Company B, 23d Maine Volunteers, under Col. William Wirt Virgin, later a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine. Cleaves attained the rank of lieutenant
by time he was mustered out of service. He then studied law. 1868, he was admitted to the bar. He had a successful legal career in Portland, Maine
.
in 1876. He held that position until 1877. He also served as the city solicitor for Portland (1877–1879), and as the Attorney General
of Maine (1880–1885). He was nominated for the governorship of Maine by the Republican party
in 1892. He went on to win the general election by a popular vote. He was sworn into governor's office on January 4, 1893. He won the re-election in 1894. During his administration, problems which resulting from the national economic depression in 1893 was dealt with. He left office on January 2, 1897.
Cleaves died on June 22, 1912.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and the 43rd Governor of Maine
Governor of Maine
The governor of Maine is the chief executive of the State of Maine. Before Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts and the governor of Massachusetts was chief executive....
.
Early life
Cleaves was born in Bridgton, Maine on February 6, 1840. He studied at local schools.American Civil War
Cleaves served during the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He enlisted in the summer of 1862, as a private soldier in Company B, 23d Maine Volunteers, under Col. William Wirt Virgin, later a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine. Cleaves attained the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
by time he was mustered out of service. He then studied law. 1868, he was admitted to the bar. He had a successful legal career in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
.
Politics
Cleaves became a member of the Maine House of RepresentativesMaine House of Representatives
The Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House consists of 151 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state. Each voting member of the House represents around 8,450 citizens of the state...
in 1876. He held that position until 1877. He also served as the city solicitor for Portland (1877–1879), and as the Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of Maine (1880–1885). He was nominated for the governorship of Maine by the Republican party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in 1892. He went on to win the general election by a popular vote. He was sworn into governor's office on January 4, 1893. He won the re-election in 1894. During his administration, problems which resulting from the national economic depression in 1893 was dealt with. He left office on January 2, 1897.
Cleaves died on June 22, 1912.