Vancleave - Benjamin - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Although no facts could be tallied regarding Benjamin VanCleave as in training, births, deaths, marriages, williams in his Pioneer Physicians work states that his great grandfather, Benjamin VanCleave came from Shelby County, Kentucky and located in Brown Township, Montgomery County, Indiana in 1821, cleared his land, then returned to Kentucky for his family in the SPring of 1823; however, there are 10 Benjamin VanCleave original land grants in Brown Township, none of which took place in 1821 or 1823.  In the 1850 census, there are seven Benjamin VanCleaves, none of whom were listed as a doctor.  Williams goes on to say that in 1835, the town of Waveland was platted. Shortley after, Dr. James Cunningham located there and erected the second building in Waveland, where he resided during his practice there. He was succeeded by Chester Ballard. I think it is sad that WIlliams did not go into more detail about Benjamin VanCleave. His dates? Where buried? Wife's name? Children, even from whom Williams descended. But, I did not want to be amiss by not including this man.  I did find a short biography for an Elijah VanCleave, Dr., who ws "born north of Waveland," and died at Rockville in February 19055, graduate of Rush Medical College, a Mason and Woodsmen.  I think this man probably does not fit into the pre 1850 category, but perhaps this is a descendant of the Benjamin mentioned here.