Thomas Hamlin Hubbard
Encyclopedia
Thomas Hamlin Hubbard was a Union Army
colonel from Maine
during the Civil War
who was awarded the honorary grade of brevet
brigadier general
, United States Volunteers
, for meritorious service. After the war, Hubbard was a lawyer, railroad executive, financier, businessman and philanthropist.
Soldier, lawyer, philanthropist, and financier, Hubbard was best known for his enthusiasm for Arctic
exploration, which contributed to the discovery of the North Pole
. For years he was President of the Peary Arctic Club, which was formed to give Admiral Robert E. Peary financial backing in his polar quest; but after this quest had ended in success Hubbard's interest in the frozen north did not end, and he was one of the financial contributors to the Donald B. MacMillan
expedition in the Arctic studying the native tribes.
Hubbard was born in Hallowell, Maine
, December 20, 1838. He was the second son of Maine governor Dr. John Hubbard, who signed the infamous Maine Liquor Law in 1851. After graduating from Bowdoin College
in 1857 and subsequently studying law at the Albany (New York) Law School, he was admitted to the New York bar.
The Civil War soon broke out, and the young lawyer went to the front as a first lieutenant and adjutant with the 25th Maine Infantry
, a nine month regiment. Hubbard later enlisted in the 30th Maine Infantry
as lieutenant colonel
.
He had a hand in the construction of the famous Red River Dam, which was built to raise the water level so that Federal gunboats which had run aground could be floated out of danger, and his services as a whole were so conspicuous and so valuable that on June 2, 1864 he was made colonel
of his regiment. He succeeded Colonel Francis Fessenden
, who had been promoted to brigadier general, U.S. Volunteers, May 10, 1864. Hubbard resigned his commission on July 23, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President
Andrew Johnson
nominated Hubbard to the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general, to rank from March 13, 1865. The United States Senate
confirmed the award on March 12, 1866.
On January 28, 1868, Hubbard married Sibyl A. Fahnestock of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. Two sons of this marriage died in childhood. Three children survived him, John and Anna W. Hubbard, and Mrs. Herbert S. Darlington.
Soon after the end of the war, Hubbard resumed the practice of law in New York. He gave the law up in 1894 in order to devote more time to his numerous business interests, including management of the estate of Mark Hopkins. He was Vice President of the Southern Pacific Company between 1896 and 1900, President of the Mexican International Railroad
between 1894 and 1901 and from 1901 to 1912 of the Guatemala Central Railroad. From 1904 he was president of the International Banking Corporation (subsequently merged into the company now known as Citibank
) and was a director of the American Light and Traction
Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
, National Bank of Commerce
in New York, Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad
Company, Wabash Railroad
Company and the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Hubbard was a philanthropist to many causes. Bowdoin College was a favorite object of his benefactions, and among the donations that remain are the splendid Hubbard Library and the fine grand stand which displays the motto, "Fair Play, and May the Best Man Win."
A more enduring monument is Cape Thomas Hubbard
, which, from the wind-swept coast of Grant Land
, faces the North Pole across reaches of grinding pack-ice, over which Robert E. Peary, another Bowdoin man, carried the Stars and Stripes in 1909.
Hubbard died in New York City on May 19, 1915. At the time of his death, he was commander-in-chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
colonel from Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
during the Civil War
American 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...
who was awarded the honorary grade of brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, United States Volunteers
United States Volunteers
United States Volunteers also known as U.S. Volunteers, U. S. Vol., or U.S.V.Starting as early as 1861 these regiments were often referred to as the "volunteer army" of the United States but not officially named that until 1898.During the nineteenth century this was the United States federal...
, for meritorious service. After the war, Hubbard was a lawyer, railroad executive, financier, businessman and philanthropist.
Soldier, lawyer, philanthropist, and financier, Hubbard was best known for his enthusiasm for Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
exploration, which contributed to the discovery of the North Pole
North Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
. For years he was President of the Peary Arctic Club, which was formed to give Admiral Robert E. Peary financial backing in his polar quest; but after this quest had ended in success Hubbard's interest in the frozen north did not end, and he was one of the financial contributors to the Donald B. MacMillan
Donald B. MacMillan
Donald Baxter MacMillan was an American explorer, sailor, researcher and lecturer who made over 30 expeditions to the Arctic during his 46-year career...
expedition in the Arctic studying the native tribes.
Hubbard was born in Hallowell, Maine
Hallowell, Maine
Hallowell is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,467 at the 2000 census.-History:The city is named for Benjamin Hallowell, a Boston merchant and one of the Kennebec Proprietors, holders of land originally granted to the Plymouth Company by the British monarchy in...
, December 20, 1838. He was the second son of Maine governor Dr. John Hubbard, who signed the infamous Maine Liquor Law in 1851. After graduating from Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
in 1857 and subsequently studying law at the Albany (New York) Law School, he was admitted to the New York bar.
The Civil War soon broke out, and the young lawyer went to the front as a first lieutenant and adjutant with the 25th Maine Infantry
25th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 25th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 25th Maine Infantry was organized in Portland, Maine and mustered in September 29, 1862 for nine months' service under the command of Colonel Francis...
, a nine month regiment. Hubbard later enlisted in the 30th Maine Infantry
30th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 30th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 30th Maine Infantry was organized in Augusta, Maine and mustered in January 8, 1864 for three years' service...
as lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
.
He had a hand in the construction of the famous Red River Dam, which was built to raise the water level so that Federal gunboats which had run aground could be floated out of danger, and his services as a whole were so conspicuous and so valuable that on June 2, 1864 he was made colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of his regiment. He succeeded Colonel Francis Fessenden
Francis Fessenden
Francis Fessenden was a lawyer, politician, and soldier from the state of Maine who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War...
, who had been promoted to brigadier general, U.S. Volunteers, May 10, 1864. Hubbard resigned his commission on July 23, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated Hubbard to the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general, to rank from March 13, 1865. The United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
confirmed the award on March 12, 1866.
On January 28, 1868, Hubbard married Sibyl A. Fahnestock of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. Two sons of this marriage died in childhood. Three children survived him, John and Anna W. Hubbard, and Mrs. Herbert S. Darlington.
Soon after the end of the war, Hubbard resumed the practice of law in New York. He gave the law up in 1894 in order to devote more time to his numerous business interests, including management of the estate of Mark Hopkins. He was Vice President of the Southern Pacific Company between 1896 and 1900, President of the Mexican International Railroad
Mexican International Railroad
The Mexican International Railroad was one of the primary pre-nationalization railways of Mexico. Incorporated in Connecticut in 1882 in the interests of the Southern Pacific Railroad , it opened a main line from Piedras Negras to Torreón, on the Mexican Central Railway, in...
between 1894 and 1901 and from 1901 to 1912 of the Guatemala Central Railroad. From 1904 he was president of the International Banking Corporation (subsequently merged into the company now known as Citibank
Citibank
Citibank, a major international bank, is the consumer banking arm of financial services giant Citigroup. Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, later First National City Bank of New York...
) and was a director of the American Light and Traction
American Light and Traction
American Light and Traction was founded in 1900 for the purpose for consolidating the utility industry's small, local power suppliers. By 1901, American Light and Traction owned and controlled over 40 gas producting plants, electric light and traction properties.-History:* 1900 - founded by...
Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
MetLife, Inc. is the holding corporation for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, or MetLife, for short, and its affiliates. MetLife is among the largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, with 90 million customers in over 60 countries...
, National Bank of Commerce
National Bank of Commerce
The National Bank of Commerce was a U.S. bank of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It first chartered as the Kansas City Savings Bank in 1865. After a controlling interest was acquired by Dr...
in New York, Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad
Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad
The Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad, often abbreviated TStL&W and commonly known as the Clover Leaf, was a railroad company that operated in northwestern Ohio, north central Indiana, and south central Illinois during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.-History:The TStL&W originated with...
Company, Wabash Railroad
Wabash Railroad
The Wabash Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated in the mid-central United States. It served a large area, including trackage in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and Ontario. Its primary connections included Chicago, Illinois, Kansas City, Missouri, Detroit,...
Company and the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Hubbard was a philanthropist to many causes. Bowdoin College was a favorite object of his benefactions, and among the donations that remain are the splendid Hubbard Library and the fine grand stand which displays the motto, "Fair Play, and May the Best Man Win."
A more enduring monument is Cape Thomas Hubbard
Cape Thomas Hubbard
Cape Thomas Hubbard is a headland located in the northern Canadian territory of Nunavut. Projecting into the Arctic Ocean, it is situated on the northern tip of Axel Heiberg Island, from Etah, Greenland.-History:...
, which, from the wind-swept coast of Grant Land
Grant Land
Grant Land is the northern lobe of Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada. Situated on the north coast, Cape Columbia, is the northernmost point of Canada, only 770 km from the North Pole, and was used as the final point on land for Peary's North Pole expedition in 1909.At its highest point, it is ...
, faces the North Pole across reaches of grinding pack-ice, over which Robert E. Peary, another Bowdoin man, carried the Stars and Stripes in 1909.
Hubbard died in New York City on May 19, 1915. At the time of his death, he was commander-in-chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, also known by its acronym MOLLUS or simply as the Loyal Legion, is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by officers of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States who "had aided in maintaining the honor,...
.