CLEVELAND, Truman L.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 289-290

Truman L. CLEVELAND, who is engaged in general farming and also carries on the dairy business on section 1, New Milford Township, Winnebago County [IL], has the honor of being a native of this State.  He was born in Aug 1854, and is a son of Eli T. and Corrinna (LEWIS) CLEVELAND.  The mother was born in Orangeville [Wyoming County], NY, 09 Mar 1822, and was a daughter of Truman LEWIS, a native of New Hartford [Litchfield County], CT, who was born 05 Nov 1784, and died in Warsaw [Wyoming County], IL, 15 Sep 1865, at the age of 81 years.  He married Lucy PORTER, who was born 26 Mar 1795, and was a daughter of Seth and Sarah (COWLES) PORTER.  She was called to her final rest in Rocford [Winnebago County, IL], 13 Dec 1866, at the age of 71 years.

The parents of our subject were married in Weathersfield [Wethersfield, Wyoming County], NY, 01 Oct 1851, and in the spring of 1852 emigrated westward, casting their lot with the early settlers of Winnebago County.  The father had previously been in IL, and for a year had followed farming in Cherry Valley Township.  He now bought a quarter section of land in Seward Township, where he made his home for 18 years.  There his wife departed this life, leaving two sons and two daughters:  Almon M., a resident of Storm Lake [Buena Vista County], IA; Truman, of this sketch; Lucy A., wife of A. T. VAN ALSTINE, of Chicago; and Laura A., wife of W. L. GREGORY, of Rockford.  Mr. CLEVELAND afterward rented his land and removed to Rockford with his children in the spring of 1878.   He built a home on Seminary Street and engaged in the hardware business on West State Street for some time, but is now living a retired life.

Under the parental roof our subject was reared [p 290] to manhood, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the common schools.  He was married in his present home on 15 Mar 1876 to Miss Ida May NICHOLS, daughter of Philander C. and Sarah F. (GODBE) NICHOLS.  Her father was born in Casenovia [Cazenovia, Madison County], NY, 18 Feb 1818, and her mother in Dighton [Bristol County], MA, 15 Mar 1816.  They were married in Bristol [Ontario County], NY, 25 May 1843, and removed to IL in 1849.  Six years later Mr. NICHOLS purchased and located upon a farm of 40 acres, the present home of our subject.  His death occurred 22 Dec 1873, at the age of 55 years, and his wife passed away 13 Aug 1890, in the 75th year of her age.  Both were members of the Contennial Methodist Church, and the father long served as a School Director.  They had lost one daughter, Alice Amelia, who died 30 Jul 1851, at the age of five years.

Mrs. CLEVELAND is the only surviving child.  She was born and reared in the house which is still her home, and acquired a good education, attending the Seminary of Rockford.  By her marriage she has a little son, Leroy Nichols, who was born 25 Mar 1881.  The parents are both members of the Centennial Methodist Church, and in social circles rank high.

The CLEVELAND farm comprises 150 acres of land under a high state of cultivation and well improved.  Upon it our subject has erected good buildings and added all the accessories of a model farm.  In connection with general farming, he keeps 16 cows for dairy purposes, and sells the milk to Rockford dealers.  In politics he votes with the Republican party, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business, in which he has met with signal success.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.