Cleveland was born in Duanesburg, New York, on March 2, 1829, a son of Elijah Cleveland and Mary Ann (Bartlett) Cleveland. He attended common schools, then moved to New York City to begin a business career. Beginning as a clerk with William Miller, an importer of silverware and fancy goods, Cleveland eventually worked his way up to a partnership.
In 1850, he moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he specialized in the manufacture of black lead, stove polish and pencils. With Joseph Dixon, he helped organize the Dixon Crucible Company, of which Cleveland served as president. Dixon Crucible became one of the world's largest graphite products manufacturers in the 1870s.[citation needed]
In 1853, Cleveland married Dixon's daughter Jane Hitchins Dixon. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters—Joseph, Orestes, Louise, Josephine, Francis, and Converse.
Political career
Cleveland was a member of the Jersey City Board of Aldermen in 1861 and 1862, serving as president in the latter year, and was mayor of Jersey City from 1864 to 1867.[citation needed]
Congress
Cleveland was elected a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1868, serving from 1869 to 1871, being unsuccessful for reelection in 1870.
He died in Norwich, Vermont on March 30, 1896, where he had gone in search of health.[1] He was interred in Fairview Cemetery in Norwich.
References
^"Orestes Cleveland". New York Times. April 1, 1896. Retrieved 2010-10-20. Orestes Cleveland formerly Mayor of Jersey City and one of the most prominent politicians in New Jersey died Monday in Norwich, VT. He was born in Schenectady [sic] ...
