Albanah Harvey Libby (1868-1936)

From the Maine legislative composite photo of 1929.

  We continue our journey through Maine and today examine the life of Albanah Harvey Libby, a one-term state representative from Albion in Kennebec County. The son of former state legislator Llewellyn (1841-1928) and Angie (Drake) Libby, Albanah H. Libby was born in Albion on April 29, 1868. He inherited his unusual name in honor of his paternal uncle, Pvt. Albanah Harvey Libby (1843-1864), who died in a Confederate prison in Salisbury, North Carolina in October 1864. 

   Libby's early life and education passed in his hometown of Albion, and in April 1889 he married Margaret Jeannette "Janette" Stevens (1868-1931), to who he was wed until her death. The couple had one daughter, Dorothea (1896-1947). Following his marriage, Libby moved to Waterville, Maine, and in the early 1900s was a partner in the firm of Clukey and Libby Co., a department store that distributed "wholesale dry goods, boots and shoes, millinery." Libby served as the company's president, with Charles F. Clukey as treasurer. 

  Around 1906 Libby left his firm and joined C.E.B. Walker in the latter's clothing company, operating under the name Walker Clothing Co. After nearly two decades of residence in Waterville Albanah Libby resigned from that business and by 1912 had returned to his old home of Albion, where he became "a prosperous merchant", partnering with his brother in the Libby Bros. firm. In 1928 he announced his candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives and that June won the Republican primary, besting Charles Bessey, 457 votes to 208.

From the Waterville Morning Sentinel, June 19, 1928.

  In September 1928 Albanah Libby won his house seat and at the start of the 1929-31 session was named to the committees on Engrossed Bills and Public Health. Shortly after the conclusion of his term Libby lost his wife of nearly forty years, Janette, who died following a short illness. His final years were spent in Albion, where he was a member of the local Masonic and Odd Fellows chapters, and died in that town on May 16, 1936, aged 67. He was interred alongside his wife at Albion Cemetery #4.

From the Kennebec Journal, May 18, 1936.