Benjamin L. Cleaves (June 25, 1835 – March 8, 1883) was an American politician who briefly served as both the Coroner of Cook County and ex officioSheriff of Cook County.[1] He assumed the office of Sheriff after his predecessor, Gustav Fischer, absconded in December 1869, leaving behind his family and a number of disgruntled creditors.[2]
Cleaves was a police sergeant in Chicago before the beginning of the American Civil War. He enlisted in the 1st Illinois Artillery, serving as a private in Battery A. He fought in multiple battles, including the Battle of Shiloh and the Siege of Vicksburg.[3]
Discharged from the Union Army in 1864, Cleaves returned to Chicago. On July 4, 1867, Cleaves' right arm was accidentally blown off by a cannon during an Independence Day celebration. He ran for Coroner of Cook County in 1868 and won the election in November. He resigned a position as a police substation manager to fill the coroner's office.[4]
benjamin, cleaves, june, 1835, march, 1883, american, politician, briefly, served, both, coroner, cook, county, officio, sheriff, cook, county, assumed, office, sheriff, after, predecessor, gustav, fischer, absconded, december, 1869, leaving, behind, family, n. Benjamin L Cleaves June 25 1835 March 8 1883 was an American politician who briefly served as both the Coroner of Cook County and ex officio Sheriff of Cook County 1 He assumed the office of Sheriff after his predecessor Gustav Fischer absconded in December 1869 leaving behind his family and a number of disgruntled creditors 2 Benjamin L CleavesCoroner of Cook CountyIn office 1869 November 1870Preceded byWilliam WagnerSucceeded byJohn StephensSheriff of Cook CountyIn office April 1870 November 1870Preceded byGustav FischerSucceeded byTimothy BradleyPersonal detailsBornJune 25 1835Portland Maine U S DiedMarch 8 1883 1883 03 08 aged 47 Chicago Illinois U S Cleaves was a police sergeant in Chicago before the beginning of the American Civil War He enlisted in the 1st Illinois Artillery serving as a private in Battery A He fought in multiple battles including the Battle of Shiloh and the Siege of Vicksburg 3 Discharged from the Union Army in 1864 Cleaves returned to Chicago On July 4 1867 Cleaves right arm was accidentally blown off by a cannon during an Independence Day celebration He ran for Coroner of Cook County in 1868 and won the election in November He resigned a position as a police substation manager to fill the coroner s office 4 Cleaves drowned in the Chicago River on March 8 1883 5 References edit Fergus Historical Series Issues 1 10 Fergus Printing Company 1876 p 598 History of Chicago From 1857 until the fire of 1871 Chicago A T Andreas 1885 p 460 Candidates Chicago Evening Post September 2 1868 p 4 Police Department Chicago Tribune November 6 1868 p 4 Benjamin L Cleaves The Inter Ocean March 10 1883 p 4 nbsp nbsp This article about an Illinois politician is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Benjamin L Cleaves amp oldid 1153814605, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
