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CLEVELAND SPENCER WHITLOW
Vol. 3, p. 978-979

A life-long resident of Eufaula, Oklahoma, Cleveland Spencer Whitlow
has achieved local prominence in his native county, and occupies a
position among his fellow citizens that marks him for a man of
character and good citizenship. His rise has been a steady and
consistent one, and since 1906 he has been in some manner identified
with the public service departments of his city and county. His
election to the office of county treasurer, which he now fills, came
in July, 1915.

Mr. Whitlow was born at Eufaula on July 19, 1885, and is a son of
David B. and Mary (HODRIDGE) Whitlow. David Whitlow was a native
South Carolinian, who, at the age of fourteen, came with his parents
into the North and located in Illinois. He was twenty when he set out
on his own initiative and came to the Indian Territory, here to
follow his trade of locksmith. He spent a brief period in Talequah
[sic], and then opened a small store at Old Town, on the river, near
Eufaula. Here he carried on a pioneer merchandise business of a
varied nature until the coming of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas
Railroad, which passed through Eufaula. Mr. Whitlow was not slow to
move his stock into the Town of Eufaula with the coming of the
railroad, and there he entered into a merchandise partnership with
one Daniel CODY. This business venture was attended with a pleasing
measure of success, and when Mr. Cody, the senior member of the firm,
died a few years later, Mr. Whitlow continued in the business, but
sold out a few years later. About thirty-five years ago he settled on
a farm in the vicinity of Eufaula and there he continued until his
death in 190l, when he was seventy-nine years of age.

David Whitlow was a real man, possessing many sterling qualities of
heart and mind. He came to the Indian Territory as a poor young man,
but with an ambition that would not be denied. He fought against
heavy odds in the early days of his business career, and success was
undeniably his. Such patrimony as he left to his children was
fortified by the undying heritage of a clean, well spent life. He was
twice married. By his first marriage he had three sons and two
daughters. His second wife was the widow of his business partner,
Daniel Cody. She was the mother of Cleveland Spencer Whitlow of this
review, and of one other son. She had four daughters and two sons by
her first marriage. Daniel Cody, be it said, was a member of the
Cherokee Tribe of Indians, and he was a man of great character and a
power among the members of the tribe.

When Cleveland S. Whitlow was five years old his mother died, and
when he was fifteen his father passed on. He was reared in Eufaula,
attended the public schools and the Creek Mission School. He had no
further training in books, though his education is the equal of an
average high school training, and he has ever added to his education
by careful reading and observation.

For some years after he left school Mr. Whitlow was a clerk in a
drug store in Eufaula, and in 1909 he became deputy district clerk.
This was his first venture in public service. He held that position
until September 1, 1910, when he was appointed deputy county
treasurer. This office he filled capably, and so fit did he show
himself for the duties of the position that he was elected to the
office of county treasurer at the last election, and entered upon the
duties of the position on July 6, 1915. He has been a democrat since
reaching his majority, and has always been a staunch supporter of the
party. His fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows and the
Knight of Pythias.

On April 1, 1908, Mr. Whitlow married Cenora B. KELLEY, and their
children are Lillius Spencer and Cenora Myrtis. The family is one
that enjoys the esteem and confidence of the public, and the
friendship of a wide circle throughout the county.

Typed for OKGenWeb by: Earline Sparks Barger, December 16, 1998.