From the Biographical section of History of Maine - pgs 175-177
W. Scott Libbey was one of the ablest and most energetic businessmen of Lewiston and Auburn. He was a man who had grown up in these cities, who earned his first money here, and who, by careful investments in property and business in these places, through his own keen business sagacity and remarkable foresight and judgment, increased those early earnings into a fortune of magnitude. In accomplishing this, he made a reputation for himself as a businessman, which was known throughout the length and breadth of New England. The story of his life is an interesting one. It shows what persistence will accomplish. He started as a poor boy and died a man of wealth, influence, and importance, not only in his own city but in his State and an entire section of the country.
W. Scott Libbey - Born in Avon, Maine, in 1851
He moved to Lewiston in 1873, working for the Western Union for
$65 per month. He became Lewiston's foremost industrialist in
the post-Civil War period. Image from W. S. Libbey: A Man
and His Mill
and His Mill
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey: The Man and His Mill
Click Here for the post on the Sudden Death of W. S. Libbey on May 18, 1914
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey's Newspaper stories of his Stanley Steamer
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey's Rare 1908 Stanley Steamer k-30hp semi-racer
Click Here for the post on Harold Shaw Libbey
Click Here for the post on the Sudden Death of W. S. Libbey on May 18, 1914
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey's Newspaper stories of his Stanley Steamer
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey's Rare 1908 Stanley Steamer k-30hp semi-racer
Click Here for the post on Harold Shaw Libbey
Before his course at the Colburn Classical Institute in Waterville was finished, his education was completed. Mr. Libbey became a telegraph operator, and in 1876 came to the Western Union office in Lewiston as its manager, a position he retained until 1887, resigning of his own accord to devote his entire time to other business interests. From the start of his career, he was determined to get ahead and reach a point where he could achieve success. It was seldom that he talked of those early days to his friends, but when he did, it was a very interesting tale, for the frugality that he practiced to get a start in life was astonishing. One of his earliest investments was in Lewiston real estate. He purchased a tenement on Lincoln Street. At that time, his capital was so limited that, even though he had bought the building, he could not afford to provide the requiredjanitor service. He was equal to the emergency, however. He rose early each morning, went to the building, and did the work himself. Following this by visiting it again at night, after long hours in the telegraph office, and doing such work as was needed. Convinced that there was money to be made in the woolen business, he kept a watchful eye on that industry. All the time, he was looking for an opportunity to secure a woolen mill at a reasonable figure, and in time, he secured a lease of one of the small mills in Vassalboro. Realizing that he was not in a position to give up his certainty of a salary as manager of the Western Union in Lewiston, he retained that position and continued the work. From Monday morning until Saturday night, he devoted himself to the telegraph office. The remainder of the week, he gave to his woolen mill interests in Vassalboro. As soon as the business of the week in Lewiston closed Saturday night, he took the train to Vassalboro, from which point he walked three miles to his woolen mill. At the mill, he worked all day Sunday, arranging plans for the coming week, walking back to the station, and coming home early Monday morning. It was a strenuous life. Many men could not have stood the strain. He had a remarkable physique. A strong constitution and was regular in habits. Used neither alcoholic drinks nor tobacco and was careful of his diet. He stood the test splendidly, made the mill pay, and saw his capital and business increase. Later, Mr. Libbey secured a small woolen mill in the town of Dover. It was not a paying proposition, but Mr. Libbey felt sure it could be put upon a profit-producing basis. Realizing that it was necessary to have personal supervision of the plant if it were to be made a paying investment, Mr. Libbey engaged another operator, paying the salary from his own pocket, to work in the telegraph office in Lewiston, and so, retaining the management as an anchor windward, went to Dover and took charge of the mill. The story of how the East Dover Woolen Mill was made into a good investment is one of keen management, hardships, and disappointments sufficient to make a volume. The hours that he put in and the obstacles that he overcame seem impossible, but in the end, his judgment was proven, and the mill paid. It was not until 1886 that Mr. Libbey ventured into the mill business in Lewiston. That year, he purchased the Cumberland Mill. Five years later, in 1893, he secured the Lincoln Mill, which he operated in connection with the Cumberland property after that time. Mr. Libbey always felt very proud of the purchase of the Lincoln Mill because it was the first mill he had ever owned. In speaking of this to intimate friends, he frequently remarked that his thought on the occasion of that first visit was: "Will I ever have money enough to own a mill like that?" Not only did he become one of the owners of that plant, but he was interested in others and in many other varieties of industries.
Libbey & Dingley Millm Image from W. S. Libbey: A Man
and His Mill
Mr. Libbey became interested in the electrical possibilities of the Androscoggin River. In 1901, he purchased and took control of the Lewiston & Auburn Electric Company and the American Light & Power Company and consolidated them under the name of the former company. This light and power interest was added to in 1906 by the purchase of the Mechanic Falls Electric Company. For many years, Mr. Libbey conceived the idea of a huge power plant at Deer Rips. Work began early in 1902 and continued in 1904. The plant was put in operation after thirty-one months of labor. It had an expenditure of a considerable amount of money. The plant is today estimated to be worth considerably over a million dollars.
Libbey-Dingley Dam - Deer Rips Postcard of PWM
Original porcelain promotional sign.
O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
Mr. Libbey was a director of the Manufacturer's National Bank and was a trustee of the Coburn Classical Institute. He always took a deep interest in Bates College. Only a few years ago, a large society building called the Libbey Forum was built.
Libbey Forum at Bates College Image from W. S. Libbey: A Man
and His Mill
Mr. Libbey never took a great part in politics. In 1906, he was a candidate for a member of the executive council of the State and was elected, serving with great credit during the administration of Governor Cobb. He was a member of the sub-committee of that council, which selected the site of the school for the feeble-minded, which was then established. It has always been claimed by those who understood the facts of that purchase that his business acumen, devoted to the interests of Maine, saved the State many thousands of dollars in the purchase. During that term, he gave the State the same good judgment and careful attention to detail as he always gave his own business. His associates on the board regarded him as one of the ablest men among them and one of the best councilors that the State ever had.
W. Scott Libbey was born in Avon on August 27, 1851, the son of Asa M. and Joanna B. (Powers) Libbey. He was educated in the common schools of Oakland and the Coburn Classical Institute at Waterville. He came to Lewiston about 1876, and in 1877 was married to Annie E. Shaw, of Lisbon. He died on May 17, 1914. Five children were born to them: Truman C., who died in infancy; Mrs. Gertrude Anthony and Harold S. Libbey, of Lewiston; Alla A., of Newton; and W. Scott, Jr., who enlisted in the Navy for the duration of the War. There are five grandchildren: Richard, Warren, Charles Anthony, Eleanor, and Channell Libbey, of Lewiston.
August 27, 1892, photo of (l-r) Alla, Gertrude, and Harold
Libbey, children of W. S. and Annie Libbey, before W. S. Jr.
was born. Courtesy of Androscoggin Historical Society.
W. S. Libbey, Sr. with W. S. Libbey, Jr. Circa 1913. Photo courtesy
January 6, 1945, official U.S. Navy photo of then Retired CMDR
W. S. Libbey, Jr. His WWI and WW II uniforms are in the
collection of the Androscoggin Historical Society.
Photo courtesy of Androscoggin Historical
Mr. Libbey personally had two distinct sides to his character. One of them was the restlessness, forceful, driving machine with which he spurred on men and machinery to do their utmost, and the other was the sensitive, gentle, kindly, and appreciative personality that was most lovable and which is sweetly remembered by those within the circle of his intimate friends. If he was often brusque and impetuous, he was also considerate, courteous, and kind. He had his own positive views upon all matters, which it was perhaps as well that you respected and permitted him to enjoy unrestricted, but at the same time, his mind was open to every new thought, receptive to information, and eager to look beyond the immediate surroundings into the future, especially so far as business was concerned. He was very fond of good literature; very sensitive to praise or criticism; exceedingly generous, especially to his trusted employees; very charitable, especially where his charities could not be a matter of publicity, and withal a man of singular and positive character; a man of genius in business, of thorough-going honesty in all affairs, and of singular fidelity to his friends.
In thirty years, he made a greater impression upon Lewiston and Auburn than perhaps any other man who has ever lived there. The mere recapitulation of his enterprises bears this statement out. The boy who, on the side of old Mount Blue, in the town of Avon, said to himself, as we have been told, that someday he would make his name in the world, kept his word.
W. S. Libbey is depicted in a caricature from the book,
"Men of the Hour". Notice his Stanley :)
Courtesy of DigitalMaine.com
The caption under the sketch reads:
Hon. W. S. Libbey of Lewiston
The man who dares - that's what they say,
And dares and wins, most any day,
But well he might - tho Rips come deer -
They bring in something every year.
The mills they run in our emporium
And bring to Bates an auditorium,
Tho quickly climbed, this ladder of fame -
The climb was not so very tame.
He lost and won; with equal zest
Went shooting clays for quiet and rest.
The soul of truth, with lots of fight,
He hustles to win but hustles right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
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More than a century old, the stately "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivate, fascinate, then generate interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition narratives.
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The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
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Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
