CLEVELAND NOLAND - Lee County Farm Boy, Soldier, Engineer, and Metal Winner Got His First Glimpse of the Northwest While in the Army

By Alvia Noland and Barbara McAndrews

 
Cleveland Noland was born October 23, 1885 on the family farm near Beattyville, Kentucky. He died in Westfir, Oregon on December 14, 1962, at the age of 77.

During those 77 years, he embarked upon a journey that would take him across two oceans, fight in two wars and finally find a place in Oregon’s Willamette Valley that he truly loved.

Cleveland grew up on the family farm near Bear Track in Lee County, Kentucky. The farm was settled by his grandparents, Ermen and George Williams, among the earliest settlers in the county. His uncle was J.W. “Uncle Johnnie” Williams, a surveyor, and early Editor of the Beattyville Enterprise. His parents were Priscilla and Lemuel Noland.

Cleveland in the second son of a large Kentucky family. His brothers were Bernice, Albert, and George; his sisters were Vivian, Leona, Otta, and Lillian. Lillian is the only surviving member at age 97 as of 2001. 

There were three generations living on this large family farm, and it took all hands to take care of the gardens, orchard a gristmill, and small logging operation, but for whatever reason, farm life was not for Cleveland.

On September 23, 1906, in Columbus, Ohio, he joined the Army and was sent to Vancouver Barracks, Washington. This was his first exposure to the beautiful Northwest. After training, he was sent to Camp Downes, Leytes, Philippines, but at the time his enlistment was up in 1909. He was a Corporal. A special letter was sent to the Beattyville Enterprise as a tribute. It states he was an excellent soldier, the best shot in his company, and was loved and trusted by everyone.

He returned home in 1909. It was at this time that he met Mary Jane Ashcroft, the woman who would be his wife. The Ashcroft family was also one of the earliest families in Lee County.

There was not much for a returning soldier to do in Kentucky in 1909, and the memories of the Northwest must have played a part in his decision to return there, but instead of the beautiful, green valley, he chose eastern Oregon.

Cleveland lived on a homestead and worked for several lumber companies near Baker City and Sumpter, Oregon. He also received training as an engineer, at the time.

World War I was looming in the distance, and Cleveland re-enlisted in the Army on October 9, 1017, at Vancouver Barracks, Washington. He went overseas as a sergeant with the 20th Engineer Battalion.

During his tour of duty, he drove troop trains in France. He was discharged June 4, 1919 at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. 

When the war was over, he returned home with a Presidential Citation, numerous medals, and a Purple Heart. 

Cleveland then returned to Eastern Oregon. Mary Jane soon joined him there, and they were married on October 8, 1919. Three children were born: Helen, a decorated Army nurse in World War II, Alvin: who served in the Army, and Elmer.

Because of Helen’s health, the family moved to Westfir, Oregon in 1924. Westfir was a beautiful little logging town on the North Fork of the Willamette River. Logs were hauled by train from the woods to the lumber mill. The town had a country store, a show hall, and homes for the workers.

This is where Cleveland raised his family and worked the remainder of his working years. He was at the throttle of the first logging train bringing logs form the North Fork of the Willamette River and he worked there until the final run was made in 1953.

He retired in a home he had built for himself near Westfir and liver there until his death in December 14, 1962.

Editor’s Note: After some more investigating, it is noted about two things: #1 Mary Jane Ashcroft is more than likely Mary Jane ASHCRAFT, and #2: Noland set out towards Oregon with J.D. Crabtree and his family by covered wagon. Both Noland and Crabtree settled in Oregon and worked in the lumber business together. The Crabtree family was from the Greeley area, now known as Little Sinking and Sandfield area. Crabtree and his family moved back to the Lee County area in 1917. J.D. Crabtree is the grandfather of Jack Gross, owner of Jack’s IGA in Beattyville, and the great-great grandfather of our publisher, Jessica Butler-Iacono. 

Info Via Kentucky Explorer