A Memorial and Biographical Record of
Iowa
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1896
Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.
EDWARD VAN CLEAVE submitted by Richard Kinkead
EDWARD VAN CLEAVE, one of the progressive young farmers and a self-made man of Dallas County, Iowa, living in Colfax township, was born near the city of Adel, on the 20th of June, 1859.
The first Van Cleave that came to the United States was Benjamin, the great- great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He and his wife Ruth were the parents of Benjamin, Ralph, Samuel, William, Aaron, Polly (or Mary), Rachel, Jane and Eunice, – all born in the United States. Aaron and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of Solomon, Enoch, Samuel, John, Benjamin, Crawford, Peggy, Polly (or Mary),. Benjamin, of this family, by his wife Matilda, was the father of Thomas T., Benjamin T. Joseph W., John P., Bazil, Samuel G., Cornelius J., Solomon M., Stephen, Ada Ann and Margaret Jane. Of this family Samuel G. Married Tabitha Francis, and had the following children: Edward (our subject), Frank and Emma. The Van Cleaves are consequently numerous in this country, and are in some way related to each other, and many of them distinguished in the medical and musical professions, in manufacturing industries, etc.
Samuel G. Van Cleave was born in Indiana in 1832, and his wife in Darke County, Ohio, in 1831. In 1853 they emigrated to Iowa, and the father is still living, in Adams township, in Dallas County. His wife was called to her final rest in September, 1882, passing away at the age of fifty-one years.
No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject, who was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, assisting in the labors of the field and acquiring his education in the schools of Adel. He was married on the 26th of February, 1882, to Miss Ida Hougham, who was born in Adams township, Dallas County, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary E. (Culley) Hougham. . Her parents were natives of Indiana, who about 1853 left that state for Iowa, where they spent their remaining days, both dying in Adams township, above mentioned. Upon his marriage Mr. Van Cleave located upon a farm which he yet owns and cultivates. He successfully carries on general farming, and has transformed the wild land into rich and fertile fields. He has further improved the property by placing upon it $700 worth of tiling, has erected a comfortable residence, valued at $1,500 and other valuable buildings, etc.. and is abreast with the times in the use of improved machinery.
The home of our subject and his worthy wife has been blessed with one child, Mary E., who was born January 31, 1883. The parents are both members of the United Brethren Church and have taken an active part in its work. Mr. Van Cleave served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school for some years. Their support is freely given to all interests calculated to prove of public benefit, and they lend a helping hand to many worthy objects. Mr. Van Cleave is independent in politics, supporting the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He has held several local offices and every trust reposed in him has been faithfully fulfilled. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows society. He is regarded as a model young farmer, progressive and enterprising, and through his own efforts his has worked his way upward to a position of affluence.
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