Thomas Cleeve

Sir Thomas Henry Cleeve (5 June 1844 – 19 December 1908) was a Canadian-born businessman, domiciled in Ireland, who was elected High Sheriff of Limerick City on three occasions.

Background

Thomas Cleeve was born in Cleveland in Canada East, and was the eldest son of Edward Elmes Cleeve, an English immigrant, and Sophia Journeaux, whose family came from Ireland.

Business career

In 1860, Thomas Cleeve travelled to Ireland to stay with his mother's relatives who ran an agricultural machinery business in Limerick known as J.P. Evans & Company. Young Thomas decided to remain in Ireland and eventually assumed control of the business.

In 1883, Cleeve started a new enterprise, the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland, in conjunction with two local businessmen. The company manufactured dairy products, such as condensed milk, butter, cheese and confectionery. Its headquarters were located in Limerick city, on the northern bank of the River Shannon. The business expanded over the next 20 years to become the largest of its type in the United Kingdom.

He was the President of Limerick Chamber in 1908–09.

Public office

In 1899, Cleeve was voted on to Limerick City Council. That same year, his fellow councillors elected him as High Sheriff of Limerick City, the Queen's representative in the city. He held the position again in 1907 and 1908. Despite undergoing surgery, he died of peritonitis a few days later at the age of 64.

Family

Cleeve married Phoebe Agnes Dann in 1874 and they had five children. The author and broadcaster Brian Cleeve was a grand-nephew of Sir Thomas Cleeve.