Georgia:  Elbert County: Obituary of R. W. Cleveland, March 1935,
Elberton Star
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This file was contributed by:
Chandler Eavenson
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007294
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The following obituary appeared in the Elberton Star newspaper in March,
1935:

"R. W. CLEVELAND PASSES SUNDAY AT RIPE OLD AGE - Wounded seriously three
times - With Lee at Appomattox - County Official since 1877.

"Mr. R. W. Cleveland, Confederate veteran, continuously county surveyor
of Elbert county since 1877, native and lifelong resident of Elbert county,
member of an old and influential family of this section, died at his home
on Church street Sunday afternoon about 3:30 o'clock.

"Mr. Cleveland would have been 92 years of age had he lived until Thursday
of this week. His unusual record as a Confederate soldier, as well as his
peace-time conduct, marked him as a man of unusual worth and dependability.

"He left Elberton as a volunteer in Company I, 15th Georgia Regiment,
Confederate Army, July 15, 1861. He was shot through the body at the battle
of Antietam, a minnie ball striking him in the right breast and passing
through the lung and coming out under the shoulder blade.

"Mr. Cleveland was furloughed home to die. However, he recovered and
rejoined his command. In close quarter fighting at Gettysburg, when
bayonet thrusts were fast and furious, he had a large part of his thigh
shot off by a combatant who was within ten or twelve feet of him. Mr.
Cleveland was sent to a hospital where his surgeon, Dr. Murray, informed
him he would never walk again.

"The prognosis of th surgeon proved incorrect, for within a short time he
rejoined his regiment, and at the battle of the Wilderness the top part
of his skull was shot off, leaving a large scar that 70 years of subsequent
living did not eradicate. Again he was furloughed home to die, but rejoined
his colors and was with Lee at Appomattox.

"Like most brave men who serve and sacrifice, Mr. Cleveland was modest and
rarely spoke of himself, or his record, except when questioned.

"Mr. Cleveland returned to his native home after the war and performed the
peace time duties of the age in which he lived with the same modest courage
and faithfulness that characterized his conduct as a soldier.

"Twelve years after the war, in 1877, he was elected county surveyor of
Elbert county, a position which he as held continuously ever since. His
record in this office where disputed land lines were frequently an issue,
and where much feeling on the part of contending claimants was manifest,
was characterized by the same fearless fidelity to duty.

"The last term of office to which Mr. Cleveland was chosen will expire
January 1, 1937. Had he lived out this term he would have seen 60 years
of continuous service of his county. Last year, after he was 91 years of
age, he surveyed some rough and hilly acreage. For the past few months,
however, a serious kidney disorder kept him partially confined to his home,
and he had been able to do little work.

"Only five Confederate soldiers in Elbert county survive him. Two of these,
Messrs. J. B. Childs and J. W. Eavenson, are several years older, while
Messrs. P. H. Hamm and S. G. Childs are nearly as old as he was when death
came. J. H. Fleming, Sr. is not far behind.

"Mr. Cleveland is survived by his wife and a son and a daughter by his
first marriage, Mr. E. F. Cleveland and Mrs. J. W. Lyle; and by three sons
by his second wife, Messrs. Hugh and Harry Cleveland of Elberton, and Mark
Cleveland of Iva, S. C.

"The funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church Monday afternoon
at 3 o'clock. They were conducted by Dr. Henry T. Brookshire, pastor,
assisted by Rev. J. C. West. Interment was at Elmhurst cemetery, with
Wright Furniture Company, funeral directors, in charge."

[Submitters notes: Reuben Weston Cleveland (1843-1935) married 1st on 12
Oct 1859 in Elbert Co. to Mary Ann Victoria Fortson (1842-1892), daughter
of Jesse Marion Fortson and Frances Mills, and had children Georgia Elvira,
William Weston, Edwin Fortson, Fannie Estelle, Mary Blanche, Alfred (Bud)
and Jesse Peter Cleveland. Reuben married 2nd on 10 Oct 1893 to India F.
Wansley and had children Hugh, Mark and Harry Cleveland.]

Submitted by: Chandler Eavenson