John Whitten Van Cleve (1801-1858), son of Benjamin and Mary Whitten Van Cleve, was one of the first children born in Dayton. John was born June 27, 1801, five years after his father had arrived at present-day Dayton. John would become locally noted for his literary, scientific, and artistic achievements, and his life-long and unpaid work for the public good.

John was a born scholar, endowed with a vigorous intellect and a facility for acquiring knowledge of both mathematics and languages. John entered Ohio University at Athens when he was sixteen years old. He established quite a reputation for his scholarship at the university; he was a teacher of Greek and Latin at the university before graduating.

Upon his graduation, John studied law with Judge Joseph H. Crane, and was admitted to the bar in 1828. John’s political career included serving elected terms as recorder in 1824 and 1828, as well as three terms as Mayor of Dayton. He was several times the city engineer. In December 1828, John purchased an interest in the Dayton Journal, which he edited until 1834. John was also involved in the drug business, in partnership with Augustus Newell, their firm being Van Cleve & Newell. The building was located on the north side of Third Street, just east of Main. In his later years, John Van Cleve became an accomplished musician, painter, engraver, civil engineer, botanist, and geologist.

In 1841, John founded Woodland Cemetery. He purchased 40 acres of land for $60 an acre from Augustus George. The rural cemetery movement was sweeping the nation and John was tasked with finding a location outside the city where people could visit their loved ones, walk around, and have picnics. There were two graveyards in downtown Dayton and all of these individuals were reinterred at Woodland. The first burial to take place was in July of 1843, Allen Cullum. John would be president of the Woodland Cemetery Association until his death.

In 1847, John also became one of the founders of the Dayton Library Association, which would eventually become the present-day Dayton Metro Library system. John was always looking for ways to make improvements to the city of Dayton, while retaining its history. It is said that John weighed over 300 pounds and was so sensitive about his appearance that he refused to sit for a picture. The image shown here was labeled “John Van Cleve”. Despite the historical evidence presented by the image, whether it is actually him remains a mystery.

John W. Van Cleve died from tuberculosis on September 6, 1858, in Dayton. His Funeral was held the following day at the Phillips House and he was buried at Woodland Cemetery. He had no spouse or children.