.Capt Jeremiah Cleveland moved from Asheville 1804 and became one of the first residents of Greenville, merchant; left his children 20,000 acres in SC and TN, etc. From his obituary in Greenville Mountaineer, O.H. Wells, Ed, Dec 1845:
The Late Mr. Jeremiah Cleveland
When one who has filled so large a space in a community as the venerable and excellent man whose name heads this article has so long done in ours descends to the tomb, it is fit that notice should be taken of his life. Born in Va., his father removed when he was very young to Wilkes Co. The family was one of the most respectable in that part of the country. The celebrated Col. Benjamin Cleveland of King's Mountain was his uncle, and his father, Capt. Robert Cleveland, commanded a co. in that memorable engagement. At a very early age the subject of this notice left his father's house with no other patrimony than a vigorous form and those stern principles of honesty and economy which had been so carefully instilled into his youthful mind. He found employment with the late Andrew Erwin and Jame Patton, extensively engaged in commercial persuits in the upper part of NC. The remarkable qualities of the young man soon attracted the attention of those sagacious and worthy men, and he was very soon taken into copartnership with them in a store which they established in this place in 1814, under the exclusive management of Mr. Cleveland, and which he continued until 1826, when, in the full tide of success, he closed his mercantile operations. He had sons grown who were capable of managing it. He wisely considered that he had an abundant competency. Since that time he has engaged himself in the superintendence of his farms, the management of his capital, and in reading and conversation. Few men have read more in the last 20 years and none with more profit. The author of this small tribute to his memory was quite a child when Mr. Cleveland first settled in Greenville, and has known him intimately ever since; and he can with entire truth say, that he never knew him to do an unworthy action, nor to utter an unworthy sentiment; in the course of a very extensive business of 40 years that none has ever charged him with even a harsh or ungenerous action; nor has an instance occurred of his sacrificing the property of any of his numerous debtors; nor is it believed of his purchasing property at a sacrifice; it was his principle not to do so. The writer has known many instances where he purchased property at sheriffs' sale, and years afterward sold it for five times as much as he gave for it, and he has retained only his debt and interest and paid over to the person, as whose property it was sold, the balance. Very many instances of a similar benevolence and generosity have come within the knowledge of the writer. He was the last man in the world to speak of his own good deeds. Never was their anyone of whom it could be more truly said that he "did good by stealth and blushed to find it fame."
He was one of the oldest of his father's family, all of whom are prosperous and respected men, and the same may be said of all the clerks who were in his service; all of whom were assisted by him if they needed funds; but they were much more indebted for their success to those habits of industry, economy, and integrity which he taught them. He was distinguished for accurate judgement, integrity, and firmness - judgement to perceive the path of duty, integrity that cannot be tempted, and firmness that cannot be intimidated from persuing it. Such was this wise and good man who has, at the advanced age of 71 years, left a chasm in our society not soon to be filled up. This sketch of his character is a small tribute from one who, from his childhood, has known and respected him.
(Cleveland, 1899, p.2085-86)
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