LIBBY, Lewis 1837-1902

LIBBY, CROUSE, SPEICHER, YORK

Posted By: Merikay Mestad (email)
Date: 8/21/2009 at 10:08:03

Lewis Libby Passes Away

Landlord of American House Dies After Long Illness.

Came to Waterloo in Early 70’s and Lived Here Since.
Had Charge of Grange Store in the Old Capwell Building.
Lewis Libby, landlord of the American House, passed away at his home last evening at 4 o’clock after a three months’ illness of a severe type of kidney trouble. He had been proprietor of the American House, either in its present location, at corner of Commercial and West Fifth streets, or in the old brick building adjoining for twenty-five years. He also had charge of the grange store in the old Capwell building on the corner opposite the hotel for several years beginning in 1875.
Decedent took to his bed just three months ago. For a time he was seriously sick,. But became better and was able to be taken to the polls last election and cast his vote. Getting out into the air and meeting his old friends seemed to revive him and he felt better for it. However, the improvement was only temporary and he was soon taken very ill again. In this condition he continued, growing weaker and more critical until death came as a welcome release from bodily suffereing.
Mr. Libby was born in White’s Corner, Me., April 1. 1837, and he was therefore in his 66th year when death intervened. On his 21st birthday, or on April 1, 1858, he landed in Hennepin county, Minn., living in Minneapolis for a time. He returned to the east and lived a few months, coming to Black Hawk county in 1870. He taught school several terms in the northern part of the county, being a young man of good education and wifde information obtained largely by self-study. Coming to Waterloo, he took charge of the grange store in 1875. This was a co-operative concern conducted along lines then popular, where farmers associated themselves together in buying their provisions in large quantities and at the lowest wholesale prices. The store was located in what was known as the Capwell building, which stood where nothing stands today, opposiste from the American house. That property is now owned by Mrs. Crouse. For several years a livery was conducted in the old stone and brick building, but the structure was torn down several years ago, and since then the corner has not been improved.
Shortly after taking charge of the grange store, Mr. Libby became proprietor of the American house, which was then conducted in the brick building bought of Mrs. Libby’s father, Mr. John Speicher. On May 14, 1876, Mr. Libby married Missouri Speicher, who survives him with two sons, John and Thomas. Both make their home here, but the latter has been away this fall attending school in Chicago and studying pharmacy. Besides the family, decedent left three brothers and one sister. They are Allen Libby of Minneapolis, Otis Libby of Stock Farm, Mass.; Charles Libby of White’s Corner, Me., and a sister, Ann, living in Boston.
In 1895 the patronage of the hotel became too large to be accommodated in the old building and so the family moved into the larger structure on the corner. The American house has long been synonomous with excellent cookery and the most considerate care for the guests. Mr. Libby was an ideal landlord, always pleasant, sympathetic, generous and kind. His comprehensive knowledge of human nature and human needs peculiarly fitted him to act as the dial “mine host.”
Mr. Libby was the oldest member of the local Howland lodge. He was an enthusiastic member of that order and at the time of the secession he remained true to the old order and was for a quarter of a century one of the influential men of that body. The funeral will be under the auspices of the Howland lodge.
As stated before, Mr. Libby was a highly educated gentleman and was the soul of honor. His unvarying courtesy, his strict sense of honor and his generosity and gentility naturally made himmany fast friends. He was kind to the poor, generous to the needy, never turning hungry man away unfed, and as sometimes happens his good traits in this regard were occasionally imposed upon, but it was his principle of living that it were better to feed many unworthy folk than to turn one really worthy one away empty-handed. His deeds of charity will make luminous his name when the record of good deeds are made up over yonder. Several years ago he was quite prominent in the counsels of the democratic party, but of late years he has not been actively identified with politics. His passing will be felt as a great loss to his family and to his friends who came to know the goodness of his life, the altruistic spirit that actuated all his deeds and the all-inclusive sympathy which he showed to needy people.
The funeral of Mr. Libby will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow from the First M. E. church. Rev. York officiating. The casket will be open from 10:30 to 1 at the house. --Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa (2 Dec 1902)