CLEAVENGER, CHARLES EDWARD AND MARY ANN (MAYME) TOTTEN
Charles Edward (Chuck) Cleavenger/ moved to Mullen, Nebraska in 1898 with his parents and family from Moorhead, Montana at the age of ten. His wife Mary Ann (Mayme) Totten, a graduate of Wayne Teachers College, came to Mullen from Elgin, Nebras-ka near 1907 as a young school teacher at the age of twenty three.
Chuck was born August 19, 1888 at Wash-ington, Kansas to George Monroe Cleavenger and Arminda Isabelle (Belle) Lavering. His wife Mary Ann (Mayme) was born November 25, 1884 at New Sheron, Iowa to Jonah Gleason Totten and his wife Alice Mae Cratty.
As a young man Chuck did some cowboying for the U.B.I. and Dumbell ranches. When Tom Woods came to the Sandhills from England to check on the U.B.I. operations Chuck showed him around the Sandhills. He made many trips with Dr. Walker as his special guide. He worked for the Telegraph Company when they built their lines through the Sandhills. The Cleavengers owned sev-eral acres of land, some of it acquired through the Homestead Act. They owned cattle and work horses. Chuck used the horses in his Dray Line business, delivering freight in Mullen and the surrounding area. When the gravel roads were first built in the Sandhills he and his horses were contracted to help move the many tons of dirt. When the Rio automobiles were first built he was a Mullen dealer for their cars and trucks. Chuck was an expert hay contractor, putting up hay for many years on the Big Creek, Carver and Pullman ranches. His work horses were used to pull the machinery used in putting up the many tons of hay. In later years Chuck owned and operated a truck line between Grand Island and Alliance.
Mayme. Chuck's wife taught school for several years until her license expired. She then had a position working in a local general store until her marriage to Chuck June 1, 1912 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at Grand Island, Nebraska. To this union three Children were born. Jack Monroe born September 4, 1916, Ruth Audrey (Mrs. Duard Brantley) born August 12, 1919, and Mary Alice (Mrs. Almond Elliott) born May 18, 1924.
Charles was seriously injured when he was hit by a train while driving a truck four miles east of Mullen in 1944. He spent many months in the Hospital and never fully regained his health. He passed away in September 1953 at Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 65. He wife Mayme passed away May 1, 1967 at North Platte, Nebraska at the age of 83. Charles and Mayme were both mem-bers of St. Joseph's Episcopal Church Mul-len, Nebraska. They are buried in the Cederview Cemetery in Mullen.Nebr.