04/23/05
Local historian amassed large archive
PUNTA GORDA -- He knew the history of Charlotte County as though it was his own -- which in some ways, it was.
Tales of Punta Gorda and Charlotte County can't be told without the voice of U.S. Cleveland, who spent a life pursuing his passion of preserving the stories of the region and its people.
Perhaps, then, it's only fitting that the death of the respected local historian Friday coincided with a significant local event -- the 84th anniversary of the founding of Charlotte County, according to his own book.
After a battle with pneumonia, Cleveland died early Friday at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, the city where he spent the majority of his 85 years.
Though it was an illness he couldn't overcome, many of his friends believe the root of Cleveland's failing health stems from Aug. 13, 2004, the worst day in local history.
Cleveland hunkered down in his Henry Street home as the Category 4 storm mangled Punta Gorda. Hurricane Charley pounded on Cleveland's home, which couldn't withstand the storm's fierce 145 mph winds. The house Cleveland called home for 44 years began to crumble around him, knocking him unconscious and causing numerous cuts and bruises. Charley's real devastation wasn't to Cleveland's walls and roof, but to the irreplaceable treasures housed within.
Cleveland amassed a collection of local documents, photographs and newspapers that rivaled a historical archive. Papers covered nearly every surface. Stacks of yellowed newspapers stood several feet high. Books too numerous to count overflowed shelves, finding their way to tabletops and anywhere else that could hold them. And then there were his photographs, his prized possessions dating back decades.
"He was the curator of all photographs," said Cleveland's friend Lindsey Williams, a fellow historian.
But Charley came to town, taking much of Cleveland's archives.
Days after the hurricane, Cleveland stood inside his roofless home, sweating, bruised and heartbroken, as each day's rains further damaged his collection.
"I don't know where to start," he said.
Many of Cleveland's friends believe Charley was the beginning of the end.
"I don't think he ever really recovered from the storm," said Bob Parker, chairman of the Punta Gorda Historical Preservation Advisory Committee.
Fellow historian Vernon Peeples, who had known Cleveland since 1937, agreed with Parker.
"He is a victim of the hurricane," Peeples said. "He was totally traumatized."
Peeples said "a good bit" of Cleveland's collection was salvaged. Friends and fellow historians have been fighting for years to secure a site for an official archives or "historical study center," as Williams calls it.
"It was always his intention as well as mine" to combine their personal collections, Williams said.
Though most know Cleveland as the collector of interesting tales, his history is as "fascinating" as the books he co-authored with Williams, "Our Fascinating Past."
Ulysses Samuel Cleveland was born Sept. 7, 1919, at the American Agricultural Corp. phosphate loading dock on South Gasparilla Island, to Cleve and Jean (Whiteaker) Cleveland.
U.S., as he liked to be called, moved to Charlotte County with his family when he was 2. But as they boarded a boat for the short journey to Punta Gorda, the toddler "got the tip of a finger pinched off between a rowboat edge and the barge, which was to transport the family and household furniture," Williams wrote in a 2001 column about the Cleveland family. "His screams upset and dismayed everyone."
During Cleveland's senior year in high school, Peeples watched him perform the leading role in the school's play. It was a comedy and in one scene, Cleveland had to fall flat on his face --"which he did," Peeples recalled.
In mid-1941, Cleveland was drafted, later commissioned as a second lieutenant and served as part of a secret, vital disinformation campaign that successfully misled the Nazis. It helped the Normandy invasion succeed.
"Entire armies, corps and divisions -- right down to the infantry platoons -- were represented by illusionary radio networks," Cleveland told Williams in a 1999 article.
"We were only a small part of the overall picture. Yet it was a picture that could not afford a single flaw if it was to work. We succeeded beyond all expectation. Hitler was so sure of our scenario he kept his main force at Pas-de-Calais for two weeks while allied troops and equipment poured ashore at Normandy. I am proud to have played a small part in an operation that was credited with saving many lives and contributed substantially to victory," Cleveland said.
Cleveland was promoted, eventually earning the rank of major.
After World War II, the native Floridian, or Cracker, returned to Punta Gorda and became the assistant postmaster.
He married Ivonne, who preceded him in death. Cleveland is survived by his three sons, Max, Keith and Dallas.
Cleveland cared for Dallas, who has Down syndrome, leaving him incapable of being independent.
"They were very close," Williams said of Cleveland and Dallas. "He took care of him. He taught him how to shake hands. He took him to get a haircut every other week. He took care of him from the moment of birth."
Cleveland cared for Dallas so much that when he planned to rebuild his hurricane-destroyed home, he decided to create the same exact floor plans so Dallas could find his way around the home, Williams said.
Aside from becoming one of the county's most-knowledgeable historians, Cleveland was involved in numerous organizations.
As a member of the American Legion Post at Punta Gorda, Cleveland produced its monthly newsletter and helped manage weekly bingo games. Cleveland found enjoyment installing and operating sound systems at various events including the annual Florida International Air Show, according to Williams.
He was also a historian for the Punta Gorda Kiwanis Club, treasurer for the Punta Gorda Historical Society, charter member for the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County Historic Preservation Boards and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda.
"He indeed loved Punta Gorda and the people and the history of the area," Peeples said.
Cleveland co-authored two volumes of local history books with Williams called "Our Fascinating Past." Revisions to the first volume were nearly completed when Cleveland died Friday, Williams said. Cleveland also edited and published "Punta Gorda Remembered," by Byron Rhode.
"It just seemed like whenever there was anything of historical significance, he was always there and was always straightforward and factual," said Charlotte County Commissioner Adam Cummings , who lived near Cleveland. "He let the history speak for itself. He didn't try to use it to make one agenda work against another ... He was an extraordinary source of information."
But when Charley struck on that Friday the 13th, it took a piece of the passionate historian's soul.
"He was so despondent over it," Williams said. "I don't think he ever recovered."
Though Charlotte County lost one of its finest historians, Cleveland's salvaged collection, now in storage, will live on in the hands of his friends and fellow historians.
"He was my best friend," Williams said.
Williams and Cleveland had been trying for 15 years to acquire a site capable of storing their collections.
"It has to be a fire-proof, flood-proof building," Williams said.
Many local residents have been fighting to save the old courthouse in downtown Punta Gorda. While some view the historic building as an ideal space to house overflow from the new Justice Center a few blocks away, Williams and Cleveland saw it as the perfect home for history.
Williams said Mac Horton , former county commissioner and current supervisor of elections, has been spearheading a fund-raising effort to preserve the old courthouse. "We hope to have some place to get a historical study center ... to put it all in one place for public access," Williams said. Bob Parker, chairman of the Punta Gorda Historical Preservation Advisory Committee, agrees the courthouse is an ideal spot for Cleveland's collection. "We had hoped something would happen with the old courthouse and we haven't given up hope," Parker said. "We need (archives) badly. We're losing very important documentation." And on Friday, those hoping to preserve history in the historic courthouse lost a valuable ally. "We've lost a very, very dear asset to this community and to this area," Parker said. No funeral arrangements had been made as of Friday. "He will be missed by the entire community," Peeples said.
You can e-mail Christy Arnold at arnold@sun-herald.com.
Assistant City Editor
© 2005 All rights reserved.
Sun file photo
U.S. Cleveland looks through his collection of old photographs in 1999. Cleveland, who died Friday at age 85, had used his collection of photos in slide shows to educate people about local history.
04/29/05
Memories recalled at Cleveland's funeral
During his life, 85-year-old Punta Gorda native U.S. Cleveland carried out a top-secret mission in World War II, led generations of Boy Scout troops on outings, served as the soundman at community meetings and raised a family of three sons.
But he was best known for his love of Charlotte County's history and his role as volunteer archivist for old photos, newspaper clippings and obscure county records, said many of the 300 people who attended his funeral Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda.
Soon, Cleveland's life may continue to serve as a symbol of the old Punta Gorda heritage he tried so hard to preserve.
During his remarks at the funeral, Punta Gorda Mayor Steve Fabian called for a memorial to be established to honor Cleveland.
"I don't know how, but the city of Punta Gorda will memorialize him," Fabian vowed. "I just wanted you to know that."
Among those attending the funeral were a number of prominent, long-time residents. They included former state legislator Vernon Peeples, Charlotte County Property Appraiser Frank Desguin, local attorneys Ed Wotitzky and Drayton Farr, Punta Gorda History Park organizer Don Atwell and former fire chief Bob Naylor.
Ulysses Samuel Cleveland was born at a Boca Grande medical station in 1919. He died April 22 after a bout with pneumonia.
His sons blame Hurricane Charley for his death. The Aug. 13 storm ripped apart Cleveland's house, which was packed with his treasures -- historical documents, newspaper clippings and old photo albums.
"I truly believe that Charley claimed one more -- and I hope the name of U.S. Cleveland will be the glue for the community to come back together," said Keith Cleveland of Port Charlotte, U. S.'s middle son.
Keith Cleveland said that among his father's last wishes was for his memorial fund to be used to help restore the long-vacant old Charlotte County courthouse.
In the past, the courthouse had served as a hurricane shelter. In the future, perhaps it could shelter the county's historical archives, Cleveland family members said.
"One of his last wishes was to protect the things he tried to protect all his life," Keith Cleveland said.
Keith said after he grew up he watched his father from afar. He then saw not only the father, but also the man.
"Never in my life have I seen anybody who gave so much for so little," he said.
Keith's brother, Neal Cleveland of Gilbert, Ariz., recalled how his father would enlist him as a child to help set up audio equipment for community presentations.
U.S. Cleveland had served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. He continued volunteering his audio services throughout his life, including at his church, First United.
"Education was his passion," explained Neal Cleveland. "The only time that passion went out was when a big wind came in the door and Charley claimed one more."
U.S.'s grandson, U.S. Army Maj. Sean Cleveland of the 10th Mountain Division, said his grandfather inspired him most because he always "saw the best in people."
His grandfather's sunny disposition was also evident in his stock answer whenever someone telephoned. "Well, good morning!" he'd say, regardless of the time of day.
Sean Cleveland recalled how his grandfather bestowed upon him his old World War II lieutenant bars as a gift when Sean graduated from West Point.
"It brought tears of pride and joy to my eyes," Sean said.
"U.S. Cleveland was my best friend," said local history columnist Lindsey Williams, in a voice wavering with emotion. "And he was the best friend of Charlotte County.
"He never met a person he didn't like, and vice versa," Williams said.
Williams and Cleveland co-authored two volumes of the book "Our Fascinating Past." He said Cleveland, who had worked as Punta Gorda's assistant postmaster, could recall the names and addresses of all of old Punta Gorda's colorful residents.
Cleveland also never hesitated to help local reporters whenever they needed research advice or firsthand recollections.
"Reporters loved him," Williams said.
Williams also revealed a little-known chapter in Cleveland's life, as one of the U.S. Army's officers in command of Operation Body Guard in 1944.
The operation called for the allies to fool the German army about when and where the Normandy invasion would take place.
One woman, in a brief eulogy, recalled how she asked Cleveland if he could find any old photos of the house where she was born. It had been located near a long-gone bridge over the Peace River.
The following Christmas, Cleveland presented her not only with a photo of the house, but also with a blueprint that contained "the plans for each nail."
"I'll always thank him for that," she said.
After the service, Cleveland's hearse led a 20-car motorcade to Charlotte Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Standing was a color guard from the D.N. McQueen American Legion Post 103, where Cleveland had been a member for the past 60 years.
Color guard member Ken Haymans, a former county judge, choked back emotions as he recited a solemn prayer for "our departed comrade."
A fellow guardsman then handed Haymans the tri-folded flag from Cleveland's casket. Haymans then kneeled before Sean Cleveland to present the flag to the family.
Sean, in turn, presented the flag to his uncle, Cleveland's third son, Dallas, 50, who has Down syndrome and resided with his father all his life.
Dallas quietly doubled over in grief.
You can e-mail Greg Martin at gmartin@sun-herald.com.
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