Owen M Cleland

—OWEN M. CLELAND was born at the home farm in Charlotte, Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 9, 1864, son of Nathan M. and Catherine M. (Hooper) Cleland
(q. v.). He received his early education in the district schools, and later attended high school at Ellington,
N. Y. After laying aside his text books, Mr. Cleland assisted his father in his stock and dairy farming until the latter's retirement from active business, when Owen M. assumed the entire management of the farm and continued extensive dairy farming and stock raising. The pride of the farm is its fine herd of principally Holstein cattle, and its dairy is one of the best equipped in the town. Mr. Cleland also conducts general farming operations, and is the largest grower of cabbage in the county. He is a charter member and past master of Charlotte Grange, No. 669, Patrons of Husbandry, and takes a deep interest in its business and social affairs.
He is also a member of Sylvan Lodge, No. 303, Free and Accepted Masons, of Sinclairville, and of the Order of the Eastern Star.
In politics, Mr. Cleland is a Republican, but in local affairs supports the men and measures that he thinks are for the best interests of all the people. He has served Charlotte as justice of the peace, and is one of the substantial, progressive men of his town. In religious affiliation, Mr. Cleland and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Charlotte Center.
Mr. Cleland married, Nov. II, 1890, Ethlyn Hollen-beck, born in Gerry township. Mrs. Cleland is a popular member of the Eastern Star and Grange, and is active in their social activities.
Mr. and Mrs. Cleland are the parents of three sons:
-1- J. Clayton,
born Aug. 26, 1894; educated in grammar and high school and Cornell University-agricultural course-now his father's farm assistant; he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry; Sylvan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; New York State Young Men's Christian Association; and politically, a Republican.
-2- Charles M.,
born Sept. 26, 1900, was educated in the same schools as his brother, and assistant in the management of the home farm; he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
-3- Stillman, born Sept. 12, 1905, now attending school.
Thoroughly devoted to his business, Mr. Cleland
worthily represents a class of men who cannot but be regarded as the bulwark of our nation, and a sure defense when the misrule of city and commonwealth brings confusion and unrest.
The agriculturist who is a landowner has too much at stake to make experiments in political economy, and is the rock upon which our national prosperity-nay our national life, rests. The reputation of a century of Clelands in the town of Charlotte rests safely in his keeping, and he has given to the town a fourth generation of sons, who are agriculturalist, trained in college for scientific farming.

• Reference: Ancestry.com. History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people [database on-line] (film slide No.1399 of 1537), Volume III. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data:History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, p. 574; Boston|||New York: American Historical Society, 1921.

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