Cleveland received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on 17 September 1862.

Before the outbreak of the war he was a carpenter in Utica, New York.

On September 17, 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.

[4] 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.

[4][5] His remains are interred at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, New York.