Cumberland County, Maine - Robert Andrew Cleaves ********************************************************************** 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 Robert Andrew Cleaves Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 688 Robert Andrew Cleaves is a worthy representative of the native residents of Bridgton, Cumberland County where he was born July 16, 1832. His father, Thomas Cleaves, was born in Beverly, Essex County, Mass., being a son of Benjamin Cleaves, who emigrated from England to the United States, locating at first in Beverly, Mass., whence he removed to Bridgton, Me., then a part of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of Robert was one of the first white settlers in this locality, coming here with his family prior to the time of railways, the long journey being performed on horseback. Portland, the nearest market, was reached in the same manner. Benjamin Cleaves took up a tract of wild land, from which be reclaimed a good farm, although the process was long and tedious. His first dwelling was a rude log cabin, but in course of time it was replaced by a substantial frame house, and suitable farm buildings were erected, he being engaged in lumbering and farming until his decease. He married Susan Woodbury, a native of Essex County, Massachusetts, and they reared a family of six children - William, Thomas, Nathan, George, Benjamin, and Mary. Thomas Cleaves was a young lad when he came from Beverly to this place, where he subsequently spent the greater part of his life. He remained with his parents until his marriage, when he removed to the farm of Lieutenant Andrews in South Bridgton, working there eight years; and then he purchased a farm near the old homestead, living there some years. Disposing of that property, he came to the village to live, buying the Judge Carter estate, on which he remained until his death, at the age of fourscore and two years. Sophia Bradstreet, who became his wife, was born in Tunbridge, Vt. She died at the age of seventy-nine years. Five children were born of their union, namely: Robert Andrew; Nathan; Thomas, an attorney by profession, now serving as clerk of the Committee on Appropriations in the State Senate; Henry B., now occupying the Gubernatorial chair of this State; and Mary Sophia, wife of W. W. Mason, of Portland. Robert A. Cleaves acquired a practical education in the public schools, and at the age of twenty years went to Boston, where he was engaged for some time in mercantile business. Returning to Bridgton, he opened a store for general merchandise, managing this in addition to farming. In 1885 Mr. Cleaves took possession of the homestead property, which he now owns and occupies. He has had three wives. He was first married in 1859 to Miss Louisa Center, of this town, whose death occurred in 1864. He subsequently married Miss Hattie J. Nelson, who lived but two years thereafter. His third wife, whose maiden name was Abbie E. Dennett, a native of Bridgton, passed to the other life in 1880, leaving two children - Caroline Walker and Royal Center, the latter of whom is now a student in Bowdoin College.