Bio: Cleghorn, Louis E. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Cleghorn, Kelly, Buffington, Sherman, Whipple, Cottle, Wilde, Seguin

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 678-680

Louis E. Cleghorn, a popular farmer of Pleasant Valley, and ex-sheriff of Eau Claire county, was born in the town of Pleasant Valley, March 26, 1869, the third son of a family of four children born to James Gilbert and Frances (Kelley) Cleghorn. Of the others William Gilbert was born April 21, 1861, is a resident of Stanley, Wis.; George, born November 18, 1867, died February 12, 1868, and Hattie, born September 29, 1874, married F. M. Buffington, who is now farming on the old Cleghorn homestead in Pleasant Valley.

James Gilbert Cleghorn, father of Loins E., was a pioneer of 1858 and one of the first to locate on a farm in Pleasant Valley. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 24, 1833, and lived there with his parents until 1854. He came west and spent the winter of '54 and '55 at Delphi, Ind., and in the spring went to Stillwater, Minn., where he was employed in a mill until the spring of 1858. On April 2 of that year he married Frances Kelley, daughter of Zebedia Kelley, of St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and came to Eau Claire county, where he located on a piece of land in Pleasant Valley, which he entered on a land warrant issued to his father for his service in the war of 1812. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a private under Captain Whipple, and was assigned to Sherman's army and was with him from Big Shanty Station through the siege of Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, through North and South Carolina, Virginia, and took part in the grand review at Washington, and from there he was sent to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out in 1865 and returned home. He was prominently identified with the affairs of the county, and any movement for the betterment of his community received his hearty support. A Republican in politics, he held several offices, besides being a member of the town board for years. He was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and of Eagle Post, No. 52, G. A. R., and at the time of his death which occurred January 19, 1913, owned 240 acres of highly improved land in Pleasant Valley. He was well known for his honorable methods and held the confidence and esteem of all his acquaintances.

The great great grandfather of Louis E. was James Cleghorn, who was born July 6, 1751, and was married three times. His first wife was Salome Cottle, whom he married February 17, 1774, and died October 14, 1787. They were the parents of six children, viz.: William (the great grandfather) born November 13, 1774; Sarah, born October 12, 1776; Lydia, born February 11, 1780; Orinda, born October 30, 1781; Eliza, born April 8, 1784, and Martha, born August 28, 1786. Mr. Cleghorn took for his second wife Mary Wilde, who died February 21, 1796. They had five children, James, born January 26, 1789; Mary, born August 8, 1790; George, born June 14, 1792; Charles, born March 14, 1794, and Benjamin, born February 1, 1796. Five children were born to his third marriage, as follows: Mary, born March 9, 1797; Temperance, born November 7, 1798; Judith, born December 21, 1800; Elmira, born December 23, 1802, and James M., born August 16, 1804.

William Cleghorn, the great grandfather, was a resident of St. Lawrence county, New York, and his occupation was farming and lumbering. William Cleghorn, grandfather, was also a prominent farmer and lumberman and was twice married. He was the father of James Gilbert.

Louis E. Cleghorn grew to manhood in Pleasant Valley township, attended the common schools and worked with his father on the farm until 1889, when he purchased a farm of 80 acres and commenced farming on his own account and which he successfully conducted until 1904 when he moved to the city of Eau Claire. Soon after taking up his residence in the city, he opened a restaurant and lunch room and later built a lunch car which he stationed on River street. Meeting with success in this line of business until 1908, he became a candidate for sheriff of the county and managed his own campaign, receiving the sanction of the people. He successfully managed the affairs of the office for two years and was instrumental in running to earth many criminals who are now serving time. At the expiration of his term, he acted as under-sheriff one year, and from April, 1913, to the Spring of 1914, he served as special police officer to look after the violators of the speed law of the city and county. He is now, 1914, candidate for sheriff of the county, with good prospects for election to the office.

Mr. Cleghorn is deeply interested in agricultural pursuits and is now carrying on a farm in Pleasant Valley which is under the immediate charge of an overseer. A man of public affairs, Mr. Cleghorn affiliates with the Republican party and is prominent in social, benevolent and fraternal societies. He is a member of Germania Lodge, No. 49, Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, Beavers, the Sons of Veterans and the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1889 he married Emma Seguin, daughter of Israel and Ozett Seguin, of Pleasant Valley township. They are the parents of four children, viz.: Claudia Fay, who was educated in the public and high schools and the Eau Claire Training School, is now a teacher in Augusta; Lila May, a high school student; Doris Evelyn, is attending the public schools of Eau Claire. Maurice T., the youngest of the family, and only son, passed away November ninth, A. D., 1909, age 4 years.