Cleveland was born in Hartford, New York on 14 August 1845 to Daniel Cleveland and Alameda Dickinson Cleveland. Before the outbreak of the war he was a carpenter in Utica, New York. He enlisted into the 26th New York Infantry.

On 17 September 1862, the day on which he performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor, his regiment was involved in the Battle of Antietam. On seeing the color bearer of the regiment shot down, Cleveland voluntarily proceeded to take up the colors and carried them throughout the remainder of the battle. He was wounded during this battle but returned to his unit within two months.

Following the war Cleveland returned to Utica and entered the police service in 1874, moving up the ranks in the force in Utica, New York until he was eventually promoted to Chief of Police in June 1898. He served in this capacity until his death on 29 February 1908. His remains are interred at the Forest Hill Cemetery in New York.

Cleveland married Catherine Teresa in 1865, with whom he had four children

Charles F Cleveland