VANCLEAVE-Elijah - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Elijah L. VanCleave, MD was born near Waveland, Ind Sept 12, 1855. His father, Aaron M. VanCleave was a farmer of the representative class, owning a large tract of 250 fertile acres. After a successful career in the agricultural line, he died Nov 17, 1882. The doctor's mother was Elizabeth Hallett in her maiden days and was born in Ky. in 1825. She was the mother of 7 children, of whom but four are living: Thomas F, who resides at Crawfordsville; the Doctor; Henry D, a prominent attorney of Crawfordsville and William who has chosen for his vocation in life that of the farmer. Our subject in choosing his professional career had many obstacles to overcome, but nothing daunted, he started out to accomplish his one grand desire in life. With only a common school education and $50 of borrowed money in his pocket he made his start by entering the Normal Institute at Ladoga. Remaining there 10 weeks, he returned to his father's home with a license in his pocket, entitling him to teach school for six months, and of this diploma he was justly proud as he was then only 10 years of age. By teaching in the winter months and attending school during the summer for about five years he managed to acquire a good literary education, and at his own expense, without aid whatever from anyone. During the last 10 years of the Doctor's teaching, he spent every leisure moment in studying medicine with Dr. AT Steel, of Waveland. He entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and after two years close study he was graduated with honors March 1, 1883. Thus we have in Dr. VanCleave a living example of what a young man of pluck, perseverance and energy can do if he conscientiously and earnestly tries. How well this self-made citizen has succeeded in life can best be shown by his present high standing in the medical profession as a physician and surgeon. Our subject has many friends in the town of Catlin, where he first settled to practice his profession through the earnest solicitation of the citizens of that place. The gentleman of whom we write is of a domestic nature and is proud of his ability to overcome all obstacles that are hindrances to him in his pathway to success and happiness. As a companion in life he chose Miss Laura Riggs to whom he was married on the 28th of Aug 1881 and it is to her that the Doctor owes much of his success. Her father, one of the prominent farmers of Parke County, is yet living while her mother passed to the unknown world in June 1881 leaving 7 children: Henry; John; Frank; Chauncey and Bert, all of whom reside in Redmond, Ill; Mrs. VanCleave and Minnie, who makes her home in the Doctor's family. Our subject and his estimable wife are the fond parents of one daughter, Etherl born May 8, 1886. The Doctor is a strong adherent to the principles advocated by the Democratic party, and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, being Master of Catlin Lodge 402. He is Pres. of the Parke Co. Medical Association. Since the above was written, the Doctor has purchased a fine residence and removed to Rockville.