Cumberland County, Maine – Hon. Leander Valentine
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Biography
Hon. Leander Valentine
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 31-32


Hon. Leander Valentine, the first Mayor of Westbrook, Me., was born in
Westbrook, March 14, 1814. He was the son of William and Abigail (Spring)
Valentine, and the scion of an ancient family, many generations of which were
born in Eccles, England. The immigrant Valentines settled in Massachusetts; and
in Hopkinton, that State, William, the father of the Hon. Leander Valentine, was
born on April 14, 1773. In 1803 he removed to Westbrook, Me. (then Falmouth),
where for some time he was engaged in the manufacture of nails; and he was also
for a while in the grocery trade. In l815, disposing of his other business, he
turned his attention wholly to farming, which occupied his time during the
remainder of his life. A Democrat in politics, he took an active interest in
public affairs, serving efficiently as Selectman of the town for several years;
and he was one of the original Trustees of the Saccarappa Grammar School
Association. He died in Westbrook, April 16, 1845.

Leander Valentine received his education in the common schools of Westbrook and
at the Westbrook Seminary. He taught school in his early manhood, from 1835 to
1854, most of the time within the limits of his native town. Subsequently he was
engaged in the grocery trade at Saccarappa, first with T. B. Edwards, afterward
as successively a member of the firms of Valentine, Hardy & Co. and Valentine &
Pennell. A capable and influential business man, he was elected President of the
Westbrook Trust Company at the time of its incorporation in 1890, and remained
in office up to the time of his death. In politics he was a Republican from the
organization of the party, and one of its stanch supporters. In the early days
of Westbrook he served as Selectman for two years, and he was a member of the
School Committee twelve years. He represented the town in the legislature of
1847-48, was a member of the State Senate in 1849; and in 1850-52 he was a
member of Governor John Hubbard's Executive Council. He was appointed by
President Lincoln weigher and gauger at the Portland custom-house in 1861, and
after serving creditably for six years was promoted to the position of Assistant
Appraiser. One year later he succeeded to the Appraisership, an office which he
held for nine years. He was then forced to resign on account of ill health. In
1891 Westbrook was incorporated as a city and it was natural and fitting that
the voters should call their foremost citizen to the chief executive's chair.
Mr. Valentine served one year with credit as Mayor; and at the end of his term,
feeling the weight of increasing years, retired from public life; but, though
freed from the responsibility and care of office, he was not forgotten by his
fellow-citizens, his advice and counsel being constantly sought. He died July
23, 1895.

August 28, 1842, Mr. Valentine was married to Margaret W., daughter of Joseph W.
and Alice Coolbroth, of Gorham, Me. Mrs. Valentine died May 23, 1892. She had
but one child, a daughter, whom they named Marcena Adriana. This child was born
May 16, 1845, and died April 1, 1846.

In religion Mr. Valentine was a Universalist. He was always a generous supporter
of the church of his choice; and at his death he bequeathed the society one
thousand dollars as an endowment, the interest only to be used. He also
bequeathed one thousand dollars to Westbrook Seminary. He was a man of very
engaging social qualities, possessed of wide general information and good
conversational powers. Every one enjoyed his company, and delighted to hear him
talk. Liberal and optimistic, he always looked on the bright side of life, and
never lost confidence in mankind. All who knew him reposed in him the utmost
confidence, and in his long life he never did anything to shake their trust.

This sketch was prepared by Charles B. Woodman, of Westbrook, who was for many
years a townsman of Mr. Valentine.