Cumberland County, Maine - Roswell P. Greeley
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Biography
Roswell P. Greeley
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 614-615


Roswell P. Greeley, an active, wide-awake business man of Yarmouth, Cumberland
County, was born April 14, 1847, in the city of Portland, son of John W. and
Helen (Tuttle) Greeley. He is descended from sturdy pioneer ancestors, his
paternal grandfather, Thomas Greeley, having been a typical representative of
the original settlers of this section of the State, purchasing and clearing up a
large tract of land in East North Yarmouth. He married Susan Coolbroth, of
Standish, to whose helpful industry and thrift much of his success was due. Ten
children were born to them, of whom the five sons are yet living, each having a
vivid recollection of the hardships of a farmer's life half a century ago.

John W. Greeley has continued in the independent vocation to which he was bred,
spending the earlier portion of his life in North Yarmouth, his native place,
subsequently removing to Guilford, where he has a fine and well-kept farm, and
is numbered among the respected and prosperous citizens of his community. His
wife, a native of Pownal, formerly Miss Helen Tuttle, died in 1861, leaving
three children, as follows: Frank, deceased; Roswell P.; and Josephine, wife of
Fred Hamilton, of North Yarmouth. The mother was a conscientious member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, while the father is a liberal in religion, and in
politics is a steadfast Democrat.

Roswell P. Greeley spent his days of childhood and youth in the towns of
Yarmouth and North Yarmouth, acquiring his education in the latter place. Not
content to settle down to farming pursuits, he began at the age of sixteen years
to learn the blacksmith's trade; but, the patriotic blood surging through his
veins, he could not calmly work at the forge while his country was endangered.
Therefore in 1863 he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Maine Volunteer Infantry,
being among the youngest members of the company. With his comrades Mr. Greeley
was at the forefront in many serious engagements, taking part in the battles at
Sabine Cross-roads, Deep Bottom, Va., and Pleasant Hill, La. While on the field
he was taken sick with the black measles and was sent to the Marine Hospital at
New Orleans, whence he was transferred to McDougal Hospital on Bedloe's Island
in New York Harbor. As soon as able he was granted a furlough, which he spent
with the home circle, remaining there until again able for duty, when he
reported at headquarters. He was assigned to the military police force at
Savannah, Ga., remaining in that city until his honorable discharge from the
service, August 27, 1865.

On his return to Yarmouth Mr. Greeley established himself in a trucking and
expressing business, controlling the route between this place and Portland for
twelve years. In 1888 be opened his present coal and wood yard, which he has
managed with signal success, having built up an extensive business, his prompt
attention to the needs of his customers and his honorable methods of dealing
with them having won for him the confidence of the public, Mr. Greeley is
public-spirited, taking an intelligent interest in local and national affairs,
supporting the Democratic ticket by voice and vote. He has ably served his
fellow-townsmen in various official capacities, having been Overseer of the.
Poor, Assessor, and Fire Warden; and at the present time he is Selectman,
Constable, Harbor Master, and Public Weigher of Wood and Coal for the town of
Yarmouth. Socially, he is a member of the W. L. Haskell Post, No. 108, Grand
Army of the Republic, and of the Yarmouth Tribe of Red Men, being a charter
member of the latter organization.

Mr. Greeley married Miss Martha S. Lowe, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Lufkin)
Lowe, of North Yarmouth, their nuptials being celebrated February 22, 1872. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Greeley are liberal in their views on religious subjects, in
perfect sympathy with the poet who says -

" We believe in Truth and Freedom as man's privilege below,
As his guide to larger wisdom, and diviner life to know."