Personal
Cleve was born in St. David, Arizona on May 15, 1892. His family farmed and freighted goods from Naco, Arizona throughout Arizona and Old Mexico. The family moved to the Gila Valley in 1906 and established a ranch and farm in San Jose. The following year Cleve's family bought a home in Thatcher where he graduated from the 8th grade and attended the LDS academy which is now Eastern Arizona College. He was very active in sports particularly baseball.
Mission
Cleve served a French mission for his church and while in France, World War I broke out. He was very instrumental in the safety of the missionaries during that time. Upon his return to Thatcher, Cleve worked at the Thatcher and Miami Railroad Depots and kept busy at the family ranch in San Jose. In 1917, he married the love of his life, Eunice Nelson, and began his family life.