Cumberland County, Maine - Captain John D. Cleaves
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Biography
Captain John D. Cleaves
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 544-547


Captain John D. Cleaves, a retired mariner of Yarmouth, Me., who is now a
prosperous farmer and real estate owner of this town, was born in Rockport,
Mass., May 5, 1843, son of John and Ann (Hill) Cleaves. His ancestors came to
the sea-coast from Bridgton, Me.; and the family is distantly related to the
present governor of the State, Henry B. Cleaves.

Captain Cleaves's paternal grandfather, Ebenezer Cleaves, was one of the early
settlers of Cousins Island, where he owned a good farm, which he cultivated with
success during his active period. He lived to reach a good old age. He was a
Whig in politics. He and his wife reared a family of eleven children, all of
whom grew to maturity. They were named as follows: John; Ebenezer, Levi, Ann,
Willard, Moses, Rebecca, Almira, Sarah, Charlotte, and Aaron. The grandmother
lived to attain the advanced age of ninety-four years. She was a Methodist in
her religious views.

John Cleaves, son of Ebenezer, was born in North Yarmouth, May 27, 1799. At an
early age he engaged in coasting, a business which he followed until 1844, when
he bought the farm where his son now resides. The property, which is known as
the Reddick Prince farm, is one of the oldest estates in this part of the town.
Prince's Point was named for the original owner. John Cleaves carried on general
farming industriously and with good results for many years, residing there until
his death, which took place February 24, 1880. He was a well-known and prominent
citizen, public-spirited and benevolent. He was one of the founders of the
Methodist Episcopal church at. Rockport, Mass., giving the land for the edifice,
and contributing liberally in money toward its erection; but, after moving to
Yarmouth, he joined the Congregationalists, and supported that church with equal
liberality. In politics he was a Republican. His wife, Ann Hill, who was born on
Cousins Island, February 3,1800, became the mother of eight children, four of
whom died in infancy. Those that grew to maturity were: Jane, Eunice, Delia, and
John D., the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest and the only one now
living. Mrs. Ann H.. Cleaves died June 19, 1879.

John D. Cleaves began his education in the district schools of Yarmouth, and
advanced in his studies by attending the North Yarmouth Academy, after which he
taught one term of school on Cousins Island. His sea life practically commenced
when he was twelve years old, at which time he began to make short coasting
voyages. In the spring of 1862 he took command of the schooner "Delaware"; and
he continued to follow the sea as a master mariner until 1885, making a few
voyages to the West Indies, but being principally engaged in carrying freights
along the coast. Since his retirement from the sea he has devoted his energies
to conducting his farm, which consists of eighty-five acres of well
improved land; and he has also been interested in the development of his
locality as a summer resort. He owns Prince's Point, which has become very
popular among tourists as an agreeable and healthful place to spend the heated
term, being now reached by a regular steamboat service, furnished with telephone
connection. He accommodates boarders at his residence; and seventeen cottages
have been built at the Point during the last few years, which provide pleasant
summer homes for many regular visitors.

On February 8,1873, Captain Cleaves was united in marriage with Fanny O. Hicks,
who was born in North Yarmouth, November 10, 1850, daughter of Elbridge D. and
Mary (Johnson) Hicks. Her family is an old and prominent one in that locality,
her grandfather, William Hicks, having been an early settler in North Yarmouth.
Elbridge D. Hicks was born there, May 5, 1817. He became a prosperous farmer;
and he died September 26, 1874. He was originally a Republican in politics, but
later supported the Democratic. party; and he was liberal in his , religious
views. His wife, Mary Johnson, who was born in Gray, Me., December 18, 1816, and
now resides in North Yarmouth, reared four children; namely, Elbridge, Fanny O.,
Eugene, and James W. Three children were born to Captain and Mrs. Cleaves, all
of whom died young, namely : Lena Stanwood, at the age of eight months; Mary
Hicks, not quite twelve months; and Alice Burbank, who lived to reach the age of
nearly seven years.

Captain Cleaves is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and
acquaintances, both in Yarmouth and elsewhere, and is very popular socially,
being connected with Maine Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland.
He is a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the
Congregational church. His residence is a landmark in Yarmouth, having been
built in 1797; and it is one of the oldest houses in the town.