Background
Cleaves, Nelson C. was born on October 7, 1865 in Oakland, Fayette Company, Tennessee, United States. Son of Lilburn and Ann Cleaves.
Cleaves, Nelson C. was born on October 7, 1865 in Oakland, Fayette Company, Tennessee, United States. Son of Lilburn and Ann Cleaves.
Educated Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee, and Fisk University, Nashville. (Doctor of Divinity, Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina., 1912).
Principal English Department Lane College, 1890-1891. Ordained ministry Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, 1892. Pastor, Humboldt, Tennessee, 1894-1895, Clarksville, 1896-1898, Memphis, 1899-1901, Israel Metropolitan Church, Washington, District of Columbia, 1902-1905, Sydney Park Church, Columbia, South Carolina., 1906-1914.
Bishop Colored Methodist Episcopal Church since May 1914.
Member Ecumenical Conference, London, 1921. Member Committee on Race Relations, Southern Cooperative League. Mason (Knight of the Order of the Thistle), Odd.
Married Jennie East. Lane, of Jackson, Tennessee, August 27, 1889.