Joel Alexander Hubley (1849-1925) was employed by Little Bay Mines and an active community member in town as found recorded from 1879 to 1898. I think 1878 to 1901 more likely to date his time in Little Bay.

He and his parents were born in Nova Scotia but the family is identified as German indicating a move from Germany in a previous generation. This combination of Nova Scotia origin, German heritage, and work in mining supports a likely tie to the Baron and explains the move to Newfoundland. His exact job with the mine is unclear but coverage of his activities indicates a ranking role in management. He is recorded as a foreman in 1898.

His influence is highlighted several times. He signed the petition to have Little Bay assigned a Magistrate in 1879. He was a member of the town’s Masonic Lodge and he was heavily involved with Little Bay’s Methodist church, especially during the 1890s.

His debt to an auctioneer in St. John’s in 1879 hints at some means but whatever he collected was destroyed by a sudden fire at his home in 1883. The family barely got out but all property was lost. This event was reported for friends in St. John’s which indicates ties to the city.

He moved back to Nova Scotia in 1901 and thereby avoided losing everything a second time to the fire that burned Little Bay a few years later.

J.A. Hubley remained in Nova Scotia until his death in 1925.

Sources

1849, Oct 14 – Birth in Nova Scotia to Isaac and Elizabeth (Covey) Hubley (Death cert)

1879 – Joel Hubley owes $172.50 to an auctioneer in St. John’s named Thomas Spry (Supreme Court docs)

1879, May – J.A. Hubley signs for Little Bay Magistrate

1883, April 13 – Fire at Hubly dwellings. The family barely escapes. All property lost (May 2, 1883, ET)

1888, June – J.A. Hubley member of Masonic Lodge (ET)

1889 – Joal A. Hubley at Indian Bight, Little Bay (Voter’s list)

1889, March – Mr. Hubley spoke at church meeting (TS)

1889, March – Ada Hubley performed at a concert (TS)

1889, July – Death of son Cyrus Alexander. Age 11 months

1889, Dec 5 – Death of Emily Sarah Hubley. Age 39. Wife of Joel A. Hubley. Daughter of Jabez Tilley (Vit stats / ET)

1890, Sept – Member of the Masonic Lodge (TS)

1890, Fall – Mr. Hubley formed Little Bay’s Methodist Quarterly Board (Methodist Monthly Meeting)

1891, April – Recording Stewart of the Quarterly Board (Methodist Monthly Meeting)

1891, June – Methodist Recording Stewart (Methodist Monthly Meeting)

1893 – Joel A. Hubley at Little Bay Harbour (Voter’s list)

1894 – Fisherman in Little Bay (McAlpine’s)

1895, May – Joel Hubley present at Rev. Browning’s departure tea (Methodist Monthly Meeting)

1898 – Foreman at Stafford’s Town, Little Bay (McAlpine’s)

1901 – Immigration back to Nova Scotia (1921 census)

1921 – Found living in Nova Scotia with his daughters and a goddaughter named Annis Wells. He is a widow. The family is noted as German (Census)

1925 – His death in Nova Scotia. His job is given as miner / farmer (Death cert)