Robert G. Clendenin was born January 17, 1812, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In June, 1836, he moved to Ohio, where he remained during the summer, and in the fall came to Plainfield, Illinois, staying there until the next spring, and then came to Whiteside county and made a claim in Lyndon Precinct, now the township of Fenton.
Mr. Clendenin married Miss Hannah Clark on the 3rd day of October, 1839. Mrs. Clendenin was born in Cayuga county, New York, March 26, 1818. The following are the children: Frank, born November 23, 1840; William, born April 12, 1845, and Cassius C., born June 27,1850. Frank married Miss Mary A. Smith, March 14, 1866; children, two who died in infancy, and Alpheus Augustin, born December 20, 1875; resides in Morrison. William married Miss Rachel E. Gridley, April 16, 1867; children, Robert Gridley, Frank Joy, and Mable H.; resides in Moline; his wife died at that place October 15, 1877, of consumption. Cassius C. married Miss Nannie Nevitt, June 3, 1874; one child, Ralph Ramsey; resides in Moline. Mr. Clendenin sold his farm in Fenton in 1844, and settled in Lyndon township.
Being an educated, energetic, strong minded man, it was not long before his fellow citizens called upon him to fill positions of public honor and trust. He was elected the first Supervisor of Lyndon, and was re-elected for several successive terms. In 1856 he was elected Sheriff of the county of Whiteside, and again in 1860. From the time of his first election as Sheriff in 1856, until shortly before his death, he served continually either as Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, or Deputy Provost Marshal. He was admirably fitted to discharge the duties of an executive officer, being prompt, fearless, persevering, and untiring. "The way of the transgressor was hard" when he got after him. He would undergo any labor to do his duty, and had not only the moral courage, but the physical ability to handle evil doers, and bring them to justice. At an early day, and even up to 1858, this section of the country had been infested by counterfeiters. These counterfeiters were shrewd, sharp men, and had for years successfully eluded every effort on the part of the authorities to arrest them. But Mr. Clendenin determined that it should be done, and although the clue at the start was very slight, he followed it up unceasingly until he felt certain that he could lay his hand upon the head man of the gang, and not unlikely several of his confederates. In October, 1858, he had his plans ready, and armed with the requisite documents, and attended by a small posse, made the suspected house, situated about six miles west of Morrison, a midnight visit, and succeeded in capturing four of the leading men of the gang, a lot of dies, and material for making coin, besides a considerable quantity of bogus gold and silver coin already finished and ready for use. The arrest and punishment of these parties completely broke up the counterfeiting business in this locality, and to Sheriff Clendenin the credit was universally conceded to be due for accomplishing the praiseworthy object.
An instance of his daring was shown in the capture of a deserter, a desperate fellow, during the war. While he was attempting to make the arrest he was shot at, the ball passing through his hat, and just grazing his head, but he made the arrest "all the same," and delivered the prisoner to the Provost Marshal of the district. Having at one time pursued a desperado day and night until he arrested him, he took the precaution, as soon as he had the fellow on the cars, to place one handcuff on his own wrist and the other on that of the prisoner, so that it would be impossible for him to escape. Being overcome with fatigue, he fell into a doze, which was soon noticed by the prisoner, who taking advantage of the situation quietly took the key from Mr. Clendenin's pocket, and unlocked his handcuff. Just then Mr. Clendenin awoke, and as the fellow was trying to get out of the car, gave chase; but the prisoner succeeded in reaching the door, and jumped from the cars while they were going at a speed of twenty-five miles an hour, and escaped. Instances like these could be repeated many times - instances in which his qualities as an officer - vigilance, perseverance, moral courage, and pluck - were shown. Mr. Clendenin was an earnest advocate of the rights of man, and became a member of the Anti-Slavery party at its earliest organization. Universal freedom was not a mere hobby with him, upon which to gain a name and reputation, but a fundamental principle that should be enforced, and he never let an opportunity pass to practically enforce it. A fugitive fleeing from the chains of servitude, in the dark days of slavery, always found him ready to afford protection from the pursuer, and to assist him to a land where the Fugitive Slave Law had no binding force or effect. The underground railroad had no more efficient engineer than Mr. Clendenin. Those were the days that required nerve to be a friend of freedom.
In 1859 Mr. Clendenin moved his family to Morrison, where he continued to reside until his death, March 12, 1867. As a husband, father, and friend he was governed by the great cardinal principles of the Christian religion, and was loved and revered by all who knew him.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 274