Cumberland County, Maine - Charles M. Clary
**********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons
or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent
of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact
the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.
The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file
permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com
Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland
Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El
Paso, Texas
**********************************************************************

Biography
Charles M. Clary
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 276-277

Charles M. Clary, a prominent merchant of Harpswell, Me., with place of business
on Bailey's Island, of which he is a native, was born on August 3, 1845, son of
Samuel and Susan W. (Gardener) Clary. His great-grandfather, Luther Clary, was
one of the first settlers of Bailey's Island, owning sixty-five acres of land,
part of which he cultivated. He lived to an advanced age.

Ephraim Clary, son of Luther, was born on Bailey's Island, and there made his
home during his life of sixty-three years. He engaged in farming to some extent,
and also, with a number of boats, took part in the fisheries, which form the
principal industrial feature of the island. His wife was a Miss Gardener, a
native of Orr's Island. They reared a large family, one son being Samuel, above
named.

Samuel Clary, the father of Charles M., was born in Portland, but spent the
greater part of his life on Bailey's Island. He went to sea as a fisherman when
quite young, and was actively engaged in catching and curing fish for some
years, also raising garden produce on the home farm. He died in the prime of
manhood, at the age of forty-five, having contracted ship fever during one of
his expeditions to the high seas. He married Susan W., a daughter of Ephraim
Gardener, who was a fisherman of Bailey's Island. Mrs. Clary is yet living on
the island, and is now seventytwo years of age. She worships at the Union
Church, at whose services her husband also was a frequent attendant during his
life. They reared but one child, the subject of this sketch.

Charles M. Clary was but four years of age when his father died; and he was
early called upon to take up the work of life, acquiring, as opportunity
afforded, a good commonschool education. He went on fishing expeditions when but
ten years of age, and successfully followed that line of work until 1892, when
he built his present place of business. This store is connected with the
comfortable dwelling-house which he erected in 188o, and is well stocked with a
full line of groceries, dry goods, notions, and other useful articles of general
merchandise. In addition to his retail trade, Mr. Clary buys lobsters at
wholesale to ship to distant cities, realizing a handsome income from this
branch of his business. Thrown on his own resources when a child, he has
developed remarkable business ability, and is now one of the prosperous
merchants of Harpswell.

In 1868 Mr. Clary was united in marriage with Ella E. Huff, daughter of Joseph
Huff, a fisherman of Boothbay, Me. Of the four children born of this union one
has passed to the world beyond. Mabel E. is with her parents; Ora A. is the wife
of William L. Greely, a fireman of the steamer "Merryconeag"; and Charles W.
assists his father.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Clary has filled many public offices of trust,
serving as Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and Selectman; and he has been a
member of the town Democratic Committee two years. He was on the School Board
two years under the town system, and also served under the district system. He
belongs to but two social organizations, being a member of Pejapscot Lodge, No.
13, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brunswick; also Sebascodegan Tribe, No.
30, I. O. R. M., of Orr's Island. With his wife he attends the Union Church on
the island. A man of unusual intelligence, he is very prominent in Harpswell,
and takes an active interest in all matters concerning the public welfare.