THE CLELAND FAMILY were natives of Ireland, the first of whom to immigrate to America was one William Cleland, a native of County Down, Ireland, where he had married Elizabeth Cleland (it is not known whether she was a relative or not) and was a farmer. In 1820 the family then consisting of the parents and three children, John, Robert and Sarah Jane sailed for America. After a stormy passage of sixteen weeks they landed at Baltimore, Md., when sickness entered the family; strangers in a strange land, with no friends, and their little hard-earned savings spent, their condition was most pitiable, but with undaunted courage the father persevered, resolved that his wife or little ones should never suffer, so long as God gave him strength to provide, and after some search obtained employment as a watchman on a vessel. Fortune soon began to smile on the brave pioneers, the sick recovered, and the cloud of darkness rose from their sight. As soon as sufficient capital was saved, the family started on the long journey to Brooke county, W. Va. On arriving at Pittsburgh, Penn., a pause was made, employment secured and the financial exchequer replenished. They then proceeded on their way, and made a location in Brooke county, W. Va., where they remained but a short time, afterward removing to Washington county, and settling in the southern part of Hanover township, this county, near Hanlin Station, where the parents died, having passed their lives in instilling principles of enterprise and progression into the minds of their children, which aided them to succeed in later years. Of the children, Sarah Jane was married to James Hindman; Robert was a farmer, and lived to see his seventieth birthday, and John. John Cleland was born January 6, 1806, in Ireland, and was but a lad of fourteen years when he came to America. His education was limited, as he had a great deal of hard work to do, and was thus deprived of an opportunity for extensive learning. He learned the trade of a stone mason, following that business for some time. In about 1837 he was married to Rebecca Hindman, who bore him the following children: a son, deceased in infancy; William; Samuel, who died in West Virginia; Elizabeth, married to Robert Cleland; Catherine, Mrs. Edward Hindman; Robert; and Rebecca, Mrs. J. J. Andrews, of Hanover township. In 1851 the mother of this family died, and was buried in Warsaw, Coshocton Co., Ohio. Mr. Cleland afterward made a second choice in the person of Susanna (Scott) White, widow of Moses White. After his marriage John Cleland resided in Hanover township, this county, thence moving, about 1846, to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he cleared up a farm, which he soon sold at a good profit and then took another from which he also realized a handsome profit. After disposing of these farms, he returned to Washington county, locating in Hanover township about one and one-fourth miles northeast of Florence, and there passed his remaining days. Year by year new additions were made to his lands, and he owned nearly 500 acres at the time of his death, which occurred December 19, 1876. His life was a practical demonstration of the old axiom, "Where there is a will, there is always a way. "Mr. Cleland was a very successful man, and the fact could only be attributed to his own exertions. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, taking an interest in the success of his party. WILLIAM CLELAND was born December 20, 1839, in Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn., where his life has been passed. He attended the common schools, and received his first knowledge of agricultural duties on the farm of his father. On January 25, 1870, he was married to Ella McConnell, who was born February 17, 1841, a daughter of John and Sarah (Morrison) McConnell, of Hanover township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Cleland passed their first years of married life in Hanover township, on a part of the old homestead, where he resided till 1891, engaged in general farming and stock raising. He then moved to Florence, this county, where he yet resides, having rented a farm. In politics he is a Democrat. Two children were born to William and Ella Cleland: a son, who died in infancy, and Sarah M., born November 19, 1881, who died March 25, 1892, her loss being mourned with double sorrow by the bereaved and childless parents. ROBERT CLELAND was born in December, 1847, in Coshocton county, Ohio, where his parents were living at that time. His mother died when he was but a child of four years, and he was brought to Washington county, Penn., where he lived with his uncle until the return of his father to Washington county, in 1856. He was reared to farm work and attended the common schools. On March 10, 1870, he was united in marriage with Ida Livingston, who was born in 1848, in Hanover township, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Buncan) Livingston. The children of Robert and Ida Cleland are as follows: Rebecca, William L. (deceased), Mary E., Susan R., John H., Robert D., La Brida E. and Harry E. He is a systematic farmer and a leader in the business community. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been called upon to fill several offices in his township. Both he and his wife are members of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1349 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County,  PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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