But the one circumstance did not shut him out of political vocation and the other became a positive advantage.

He entered public life in 1863 through an unsought appointment as assistant district attorney for Erie County.

The incumbent of the office was in poor health and needed an assistant on whom he could rely to do the work.

Hence Cleveland was called into service.

His actual occupancy of the position prompted his party to nominate him to the office; and although he was defeated, he received a vote so much above the normal voting strength of his party that, in 1869, he was picked for the nomination to the office of sheriff to strengthen a party ticket made up in the interest of a congressional candidate.