Charles Lander Cleveland
(1824 - 1892)
Page 2200, # 16874
Hon. CHARLES LANDER CLEVELAND, of Galveston. From Encyclopedia of the New West, containing present condition of Tex., Ark., Col., New Mexico, and Indian Territory; also biographical sketches of their representative men and women. U. S. Bio. Publishing Co., 1881, p. 53 — (Steel-plate portrait of C. L. Cleveland.)
Judge Charles Lander Cleveland was a farmer’s boy till age of 13, when he entered the office of the Texas Republican, Brazoria, while Col. Wm. H. Jack, known in Texas history, was a contributor; also worked in the office of the Telegraph at Columbia [Brazoria co.], then seat or government of Republic of Texas. Having worked several months in that office, he entered Rutersville College, Fayette county and graduated M.A. in 1842. The same year he went to Galveston and began study of law, preceptor being Judge Benjamin Cleveland Franklin. He. Was admitted to the bar in Liberty in 1846.
Remained at Liberty, and for 25 years devoted himself to practice there. Met with pecuniary as well as professional success, and is now owner of valuable property. In June, 1871, he formed a partnership with Judge Asa Hoxie Willie [a sketch and portrait of whom also appears in Enc. New West] of Galveston, to which city he removed, and where he now still res. 1891.
He is Judge of Criminal District Court, Galveston and Harris cos., office in Houston, Tex.. The business of the firm is extensive, and no lawyers rank higher at the Galveston bar. From Liberty CO. Mr. Cleveland was elected to 6th Legislature of Tex., Gov. Edward M. Pease then [1853 or 1857] executive. Major John Henry Brown characterizes his career in legislature as especially useful. August, i860, he was elected Judge of 15th district of Tex.; this position he held until removed by Provisional Gov. A. J. Hamilton, 1865. No civil officers of the state were allowed to remain in office unless they would take the iron-clad oath.
January, 1861, he was elected delegate to the secession convention from Liberty and Polk counties. Judge Cleveland voted for ordinance of secession, urging its submission to the people, by whom it was ratified by a vote of 4 to 1. Judge Cleveland supported secession and the war with all his influence and energy. He was delegate to Democratic State Convention 1857, from Liberty county, and 1873 and 1876 from Galveston.
Judge Cleveland and wife are members of M. E. Church South. He became a Mason 1848, in Liberty Lodge No. 48; was master of lodge 16 years. Has taken the Royal Arch degrees. Was deputy district grand master for 1st district several years. Judge Cleveland’s possessions’ are extensive: dwelling houses in Galveston; 50,000 acres unimproved in Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Chambers, Clay, Coleman, Comanche, Denton, Hardin, Jefferson, Karnes, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Taylor, Travis, Tyler, and Williamson counties. Is a director of the Tex. Banking & Ins. Co. ; a stockholder in Gulf Loan & Homestead Co., Southern Cotton Compress Co., Tex. Cotton Press and Mfg. Co., Galveston Gas Co., and is VicePres. of Island City Protestant Orphans’ Home.
Judge Cleveland is a first-class man, whether we regard him as a civilian, a lawyer, or business man. His position has been reached by the employment of the highest principles known to enlightened society.
From a pamphlet : Proceedings of Mass Meeting, Galveston, Aug. 18, 1871, to take into consideration Governor’s proclamation ordering troops to surround election polls, etc., — pp. 10 to t6, speech of Judge C. L. Cleveland ; C. L. Cleveland of Committee signers to letter to E. J. Davis, Gov. Extended obituary notices of Judge Cleveland appeared in the newspapers.