Prof. Martin T. VANCLEVE, Superintendent of the schools of Johnson
County, is a young man of sound learning and fine character, whose
culture, tact and versatility, together with a good degree of executive
ability and a comprehensive knowledge of modern educational methods,
rarely equip him for the high and responsible position that he occupies
as the head of the educational institutions in his native county.
Our subject was born in Burnside Township, May 11, 1860, and is a son
of the late Rev. Wilson VANCLEVE, who was for many years prominent in
religious circles in southern Illinois as a minister of the Baptist
Church, and was also one of the leading agriculturists of this
vicinity. He was born near Louisville, Ky., while his father, who was
descended from one of the old Dutch families that settled in this
country in Colonial times, was a native of New Jersey or North
Carolina, and spent his last days in Johnson County, this State. When
the father of our subject was young, his parents removed from Kentucky
to Henry County, Tenn., and there he grew to man's estate. He was of a
thoughtful, studious turn of mind, and first prepared himself for the
medical profession, which he practiced for a time; but for a man of his
earnestly religious nature, the ministry had great attractions, and
from curing the body, he turned to healing souls, entering the pulpit
of the Baptist Church. Returning to his native State, he lived in
Galloway County until 1853, when he sought a broader field for his
labors in Illinois. He located in Burnside Township, buying a tract of
partly improved land, and also entering land from the Government. He
superintended the improvement of his land, and often gave friendly
assistance to others who desired to obtain Government land. His
ministerial duties took up much of his time, as he engaged in preaching
in the surrounding country, and helped to organize several different
churches in Johnson and adjoining counties. He was a ripe scholar,
progressive, studious and widely read, was especially well versed in
theology, and next to that history and astronomy attracted his
attention. In his death in 1886, at his home in Burnside Township,
Johnson County lost a noble citizen, who had been potent in advancing
its material interests and had been a power for great good in elevating
its moral and spiritual status. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy
J. LAWRENCE, and who was born in Tennessee, survives him, and still
resides on the home farm in Burnside Township. Their marriage was
blessed to them by thirteen children, of whom nine are living. Two of
them, William R. and Volney, did valiant service in the late war, and
the latter gave up his life for his country while in the army. A sketch
of the former appears in this work.
Prof. VANCLEVE obtained the preliminaries of his education in the
district school, and then, after having had the advantages of a course
of study at Central Indiana Normal College, at Danville, Ind., he
entered the Southern Illinois College, at Carbondale, from which he was
graduated in the Class of '90 with a fine record for high attainment as
a scholar. His education was gained mostly by his own exertions, his
college expenses being paid with money that he earned by teaching in
the winter season of each year from the time he was twenty years old.
His reputation as a bright, brainy, well-trained teacher won him the
election in 1890 to his present post as Superintendent of the county
schools for a term of four years. He is faithful in the performance of
the functions devolving upon him in this important office, and his
fellow-citizens, who have known him from childhood up and have watched
his career with pride, are all, irrespective of parly, pleased with his
administration, and feel assured that the cause of education is safe in
the hands of one so alert and efficient, and that the schools over
which he has jurisdiction will maintain a high standard of excellency
while under his supervision. The Professor is a man of liberal mind and
of pleasing personal attributes, which give him popularity in social
circles and make him a valued member of the following organizations:
Vienna Lodge No. 150, A. F. & A. M.; Vienna Chapter No. 67, R.
A. M.; and Vienna Lodge No. 248, K. P.
Mr. VANCLEVE was married April 26, 1801, to Miss Florence, a daughter
of Pleasant VEATCH, and a native of Bloomfield Township. They are very
happily situated in one of the coziest homes of Vienna, and are the
parents of a daughter, Freda L., who is the charm of the household.
transcribed by Nan Starjak
Source:
The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties
Chicago
Biographical Publishing Co., 1893
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