John Van Cleve

John Van Cleve. , John Van Cleve, Benjamin Van Cleve's son, made his own mark on Dayton as an intellectual, a political activist, and an advocate for a more beautiful city. Van Cleve studied botany, mathematics, and music. He served as the mayor of Dayton and published a log cabin newspaper that achieved national recognition. With foresight to desire a beautiful city, John walked the streets of Dayton making lists of needed improvements. He went into the woods and brought back trees and flowers to beautify the city, including enough trees to line Main Street and both sides of the riverbank. Envisioning a pastoral cemetery, he planned and developed Woodland Cemetery overlooking the city. Like his father, John ensured that Dayton retained its history. He collected newspapers, society reports, and local meeting minutes and placed them in the Dayton library. John Van Cleve weighed over 300 pounds and was so sensitive about his appearance that he refused to sit for a picture. The above image, from a private collection, was labeled “John Van Cleve.” Despite the historical evidence presented by the image, whether it is actually John Van Cleve remains a mystery.