R. T. CALVIN, farmer, P. O. Olmsted. In writing the annals of history, it has always been necessary to try to perpetuate the lives of self-made, energetic men who have benefited the country by their honesty and industry, who have tried to promote the public welfare as well as their own, and we know of no man who deserves more credit than he whose name heads this sketch. Our subject was born April 23, 1823, in Sussex County, N. J. He is a son of Nathaniel Calvin, a native of New Jersey, where he died, and a miller by occupation. He participated in the war of 1812, and was one of the prominent men of his county. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Kitchen) Calvin, born in New Jersey, where she died, leaving five children, of whom our subject is the only one now living. He was educated in the common schools of New Jersey, working night and morning for his board. Afterward, he learned the carpenter trade. At the age of eighteen, he went to Harrison, Ohio, where he was engaged as contractor on the White Water Canal. After four years of successful toil, he came to Mound City, in 1857, whither he was drawn by the "Emporium" boom. There he was a contractor for grading and building the levee, landing and marine ways. In March of the following year, he moved his family on to a farm of 170 acres, which he mostly improved. He has now a good farm of 370 acres, with extensive buildings. Mr. Calvin was joined in matrimony in September, 1853, in Harrison, Ohio, to Miss Angle Rifner, born December 5, 1828, in Harrison, Ohio, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Rockafellar) Rifner, Peter Rifner, a soldier in the Indian war of 1811, being commissioned by Gen. Harrison as the commander of a company. Mrs. Calvin is the mother of five children now living — Hiram, born May 31 , 1854, married Gussie Boren, and is now a merchant in St. Francis, Ark.; Lizzie, born January 18, 1856, wife of James Barber; Martha, born July 10, 1859; Line, born January 22, 1861, and Sallie, born December 22, 1865. Mrs. Calvin is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Calvin is an I. O. O. F. and A., F. & A. M. In politics, he has been identified with the Democratic party.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 312.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
