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The story of Sherrill Creek and Springfield continues

In 1969, Henry Cleveland, writer, and author from Kentucky, moved to the Springfield Community while he worked with Vice President of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens, on a book project.


He hired the seven Robert brothers to dig a three-quarter mile ditch in Sherrills Creek and paid them with land. The Robert brothers gave one acre to the church to build a meeting house. Years later, a larger church called Springfield was built and operates today, next to the log school.


Henry Cleveland's story is quite exciting, and I want to share his newspaper obituary with you so you will read it for yourself. (for ease of reading, I paraphrase the article but added the link for those who would like to read it themself)


Henry Whitney Cleveland, a man of many talents and unwavering dedication, held high positions in various fields as a Soldier, Minister, Lawyer, and Author. His diverse roles and significant contributions have indelibly impacted our community.


Despite being born in the North, Henry Whitney Cleveland's heart belonged to the South. His love for the region was unwavering, and he fought for its rights passionately, making him a friend of great men.


The Rev. Henry Whitney Cleveland, Confederate veteran, minister, and author, died of a cerebral hemorrhage at noon yesterday at his home, 222 Twenty-fourth Street. His illness dates back only to Sunday, and just one week before his illness, he preached from the pulpit of the Christian Church in the same square in which he lived. Mr. Cleveland was seventy-one years of age and, for the past twenty-two years, had been a resident of Louisville. He was well-known through the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. In fact, throughout the entire South.


The Rev. Mr. Cleveland came to Louisville in 1884 as the pastor of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which was then on the "Point." The same year that he accepted the church's pastorate, it was washed away by the flood of 84. Since then, he has occupied pulpits here and there, always doing much good, but he never again accepted the regular pastorate of any church.


Henry Whitney Cleveland was a soldier, gospel minister, lawyer, and author. He served throughout the Civil War and won high honors. He was ordained a minister of the Methodist Church when he was very young and admitted to the bar when he was twenty years old. He was in the Civil War from the beginning and has devoted his time to the ministry and writing since its close.



BORN IN THE NORTH-FOUGHT FOR THE SOUTH



Mr. Cleveland was born in Akron, Ohio, on January 9, 1836. Most of his boyhood, however, was spent in Georgia. He was an ardent champion of the rights of the South and, at the outset, was a colonel on Gov. Joseph E. Brown's staff. He assisted in taking Fort Pulaski and was present when the fort surrendered. He was also instrumental in the capture of the Augusta arsenal, where 28,000 arms and ammunition were won for the Confederacy.


Later, Mr. Cleveland was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company G. of the First Georgia Regulars. He served as chaplain of his regiment and was advanced to the rank of colonel. Later, Col. Cleveland was transferred and held as an administrative officer under Jefferson Davis. At different times throughout the Civil War, he was inspector of troops of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, in the Secret Service, and active command of the Fifty-fourth Georgia regiment.


At the battle of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, Col. Grant captured Cleveland and, for many months, held a prisoner of war.



CLOSE TO ALEXANDER H STEPHENS


Before the war's opening and throughout the entire conflict, Mr. Cleveland was a close friend of Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States, and was active in Georgia and Southern affairs. At the close of the war, together with Vice President Stephens, Mr. Cleveland wrote the "War Between the States." When Mr. Stephens died, Mr. Cleveland wrote "The Life of Alexander Hamilton Stephens." Other publications had a large sale at the time.


The Rev. Mr. Cleveland was also very interested in politics and was known throughout the Democratic party in the South. After the war, he was a member of the National Committee of the Democratic Party and a delegate to the national conventions held at Charleston and Baltimore.


Until 1884, the Cleveland home was in Georgia, but much of Mr. Cleveland's time was spent in travel and lecturing. He was also engaged in active ministerial work but always found time to help in outside affairs. In 1884, a call from the Asbury Church of this city brought the Rev. Mr. Cleveland here, and since then, Louisville has been his home. He was pastor of the Asbury church for less than one year. Still, he has been actively engaged in church and educational work for many years since then. Much of his time was spent in writing, and his contributions have been published in the leading papers and magazines of the country.


During Mayor Jacob's administration, Mr. Cleveland was appointed Keeper of the City Records and served three years, from 1887 to 1890. He was always interested in the city's welfare and Louisville affairs. For many years, he lived on Twenty-fourth Street, where he died, and throughout the neighborhood, he was known and loved.



BECAME ILL ON SUNDAY




Mr. Cleveland was taken suddenly ill Sunday night. Before that time, he had seemed to be in the best health. At that time, however, it was noticed that his mind was not entirely clear, so a physician was called. From Sunday night, his condition grew gradually worse, and on Tuesday, it was not thought that he would live through the night. He was in his right mind at times, but at other times, his mind wandered. He died shortly before noon yesterday.


His wife, Mrs. Mary E Cleveland, and three children, Miss Virginia M. Cleveland, Miss Grace Cleveland, and Paul S. Cleveland, survived the Rev. Mr. Cleveland. A sister, Mrs. Emma C. Woods, of Harrodsburg, and her son, Henry C. Woods, also are among the surviving relatives.


Mr. Cleveland was a member of the George B. Eastern Camp, and members of that organization will escort the body to the cemetery.


The Courier-Journal. (March 21, 1907). Rev. Henry Whitney Cleveland dies at 71 years of age .



New-York Tribune. (March 21, 1907). . Newspapers.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/153342398/


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