Early Dayton Previous Page | Next Page | Book Beginning | Search Book GenealogyLibrary.com Main Page Page 58 nineteenth century, and travelers and land prospectors were unable to obtain from books or newspapers the facts they desired in regard to soil, climate, population, and business. It was, therefore, greatly to the advantage of a recently settled town and county to have within their borders one like Mr. Van Cleve, who was not only a good talker, but a perfect mine of information (he had, while surveying, traveled over nearly every foot of ground in this neighborhood), and also willing to take the time and trouble to instruct inquiring visitors, who, if properly approached, might be induced to become permanent settlers. He understood farming, and cultivated his quarter-section, one hundred and sixty acres, now within the corporation, in the eastern part of town, and a valuable inheritance for his descendants. Benjamin and Mary W. Van Cleve had five children: John Whitten, born June 27, 1801, died, unmarried, September 6, 1858, as remarkable a man and as useful a citizen as his father. William James, born 1803, died 1808. Henrietta Maria, born November 16, 1805, married Samuel B. Dover, September 21, 1824, surviving him; she married Joseph Bond November 4, 1858, and died May 18, 1879. Her descendants now living are two daughters, Mrs. Sophia Simpson, of Dayton, and Mrs. Mary A. Dill, of Union City, Indiana; William Simpson, of Dayton, Dr. Moses Simpson, Freehold, New Jersey,--children of Mrs. Sophia Simpson,--and the sons and daughters of Thomas Dover, deceased,--Fay and Samuel, of Dayton; John, living in California; Mrs. Anna McKnight, of Dayton. Her third daughter, Phebe, married Emery Belden, and her daughter lives in Dayton. The fourth daughter is dead, but has a son and daughter living in the city. The fourth child of Benjamin Van Cleve was Mary Cornelia, born December 2, 1807; married James Andrews, November 20, 1827, and died February 19, 1878; children, Miss America Andrews and Mrs. Laura Poling, of Dayton, and I. W. Andrews, of Kansas City; grandchildren, Mrs. Edith Allison, Dayton; Dr. J. Andrews, Mansfield; Mrs. Alice Yoke, Lewisburg; Harry C. Andrews, Grace and Clifford Andrews, Dayton; Earl and Charley Andrews, Cambridge City. The youngest child of Benjamin Van Cleve, Sarah Sophia, was born November, 1809; married David C. Baker, February 11, 1830, and died October 18, 1839. Her children live in Indiana or Kansas. Mr. Van Cleve's first wife died in 1810. In 1812 he married Mary Tamplin. They had no children. She died in 1825. Page 58 Previous Page | Next Page | Book Beginning | Search Book GenealogyLibrary.com Main Page Go to page: [ Home | Search Books | This Week's New Books | Social Security Death Index | Vital Records Assistant ] [ Genealogy Discovery Articles | U.S. Geographical Names Information System | Guest Book ] [ Family Tree Maker Online | Internet FamilyFinder | Genealogy SiteFinder | Genealogy "How-To" Guide ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- © Copyright 1996-99, Broderbund Software, Inc. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----