Benjamin L. Cleaves
Coroner of Cook County
In office
1869  November 1870
Preceded byWilliam Wagner
Succeeded byJohn Stephens
Sheriff of Cook County
In office
April 1870  November 1870
Preceded byGustav Fischer
Succeeded byTimothy Bradley
Personal details
BornJune 25, 1835
Portland, Maine, U.S.
DiedMarch 8, 1883(1883-03-08) (aged 47)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

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]

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

  1. Fergus' Historical Series, Issues 1-10. Fergus Printing Company. 1876. p. 598.
  2. History of Chicago - From 1857 until the fire of 1871. Chicago: A.T. Andreas. 1885. p. 460.
  3. "Candidates". Chicago Evening Post. September 2, 1868. p. 4.
  4. "Police Department". Chicago Tribune. November 6, 1868. p. 4.
  5. "Benjamin L. Cleaves". The Inter Ocean. March 10, 1883. p. 4.


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