John Van Cleave 1856-1930

VAN CLEAVE, BANTA

Posted By: Rich Lowe (email)
Date: 10/1/2001 at 14:11:38

John Van Cleave, one of the best known and highly respected citizens of Wilsonville, who had been a resident of Furnas county for many years, died at Rio Hondo, Texas, on Wednesday, December 10, 1930, at the age of 74 years. He had gone to Texas a few weeks previously where he and Mrs. Cleave expected to spend the winter.

John Van Cleave was born in Pulaski county, Ind., in 1856. When he was 10 years old, the family moved to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools and taught several terms in the rural schools.

In 1878, Mr. Van Cleave came to Nebraska and homesteaded in Furnas county southeast of Wilsonville on which he and his family lived for many years. Mr. Van Cleave was energetic and ambitious to succeed, and he soon overcame the difficulties that beset the pioneers, and the soil yielded him a competence.

Mr. Van Cleave was united in marriage to Miss Pheobe Banta in 1880. Mrs. Van Cleave shared the tolls, trials, and successes of her husband for fifty years.

There remains to mourn his loss his widow; three sisters, numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. church in Wilsonville, Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Howard Murphy and interment was in the family lot in the Wilsonville cemetery. Services at the grave were in charge of the Masonic fraternity.

Times-Tribune newspaper - Dec. 18, 1930
Beaver City, Nebraska

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[I would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of this family. - Rich]