Was born in the state of Connecticut, in the year 1823. At the age of sixteen he commenced peddling, with hand-
trunks, continuing it for two years. He then commenced peddling clocks in Kentucky and Tennessee, which he continued
for two years, when he met with the misfortune of having one of his limbs broken. He then returned to his parents,
in Connecticut, and remained three months, after which he came to Illinois, and resumed the clock business in this
state and Missouri. Two years after he returned to Connecticut, for a new supply of clocks, which he sold and traded
in Iowa. In 1849 he took a drove of horses to Connecticut and disposed of them to good advantage, after which he
sold goods throughout that country, out of a wagon, for about eight months. In 1850, he returned to Illinois and
fitted up an ox team, with which he went, overland, to California. There he remained two years, returning home
in 1852. After remaining at home for four months, he returned, by water, to California, where he again remained
for two years, engaged in mining, at which he was quite successful. He then returned to Connecticut in 1853, where
he visited for four months and then came to Pike county, Illinois, bought land, on section 35, in Kinderhook township,
upon which he settled, and remained one year. He then went back to his native state where he married Miss Ann F.
Andreas. She was born in Connecticut in 1826. Immediately after his marriage he returned to Pike county, and settled
on his farm in Kinderhook township, where he remained, engaged in farming, for nine years. He then sold out, and
returned, with his family, to Connecticut, where they remained one year, and then returned again to Kinderhook,
when he bought out B. B. Ganes, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued for five years. In the
meantime, he purchased a saw mill and a very large tract of timber-land and commenced the sale of lumber and cord-wood,
which he still continues, on an extensive scale, keeping from twelve to thirty hands constantly employed. In 1868,
for the want of a proper house to do business in, he sold out his store, and devoted his whole time and attention
to the lumbering business and his farm, until within a few months, when he engaged in the general grocery and provision
business, in the town of Kinderhook, in company with Mr. Smith Hull. They are both well adapted to do business,
and have the entire confidence of the people; consequently, they are doing well. Mr. Calvin has accumulated a large
amount of property, and is a man who is highly respected by all who know him. He has had born to him five children
— three sons and two daughters, three of whom are yet living.