Calvin W. Floyd, a prominent farmer and stockman of Sedan, is a native of Chautauqua county, born in a log house on a claim five miles southwest of Sedan, Aug. 11, 1872. His parents—M. V. and Nancy (Steel) Floyd—were born in Bond county, Illinois, moved to Kansas, in 1869, and thus are pioneers of this great commonwealth. They first settled in Wilson county, but in 1871 moved to Chautauqua county, where they preëmpted the farm which they still own. They reared a family of eleven children—six boys and five girls—all of whom are living. The parents lived on the farm until 1900, when they retired from active life and moved to Sedan, where they are now living.

M. V. Floyd, the father, is a well known citizen of Chautauqua county and is a veteran of the Civil war, his services during that conflict having been in the Twenty-sixth Illinois infantry. This regiment saw hard and active service. It intercepted the flying enemy from Island No. 10; took part in the siege and battle of Corinth; was transferred to Eastern Tennessee, in the fall of 1863, and there took an active part in the battle of Missionary Ridge. This regiment, which accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea, was actively engaged in all the marches, skirmishes and battles which finally resulted in the capture of Atlanta; and was engaged in the action at Griswoldville, siege of Savannah and capture of Fort McAllister. It was among the first regiments that entered Columbia, S. C., and was hotly engaged at Bentonville, N. C. Ordered to carry the bridge that spanned Mill Creek, near Bentonville, it did so in a magnificent charge, in which it lost a number of men. It participated in the Grand Review at Washington, from whence it was ordered to Louisville, Ky., and was there mustered out, July 20, 1865, and started to Springfield, Ill., for final discharge.

Calvin W. Floyd knows something of the early life and pioneer days in Kansas. Being the oldest boy, he left home at the age of thirteen years and began working by the month for neighboring farmers and giving his wages to help the family at home. He kept this up for seven years, working on the farm in summer and doing chores to pay his board while attending school in the winter. He graduated in the Sedan High School, in 1892, and began his independent career as a cattleman; and he has since continued in that line of business. He is considered one of the most practical and experienced cattlemen of his county and is thoroughly informed in every detail of the stock business. He and his partner, S. C. Tucker, buy, graze and ship more cattle than any other firm in Chautauqua county. They handle from 10,000 to 15,000 head of cattle each year, and own between 7,000 and 8,000 acres of farm and grazing land. Through the able management of their farming and stock interests these partners have made money, and Mr. Floyd ranks as one of the substantial men of his locality. He is also a director in the Sedan Bank, one of the leading banks of Chautauqua county.

In 1896 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Floyd and Miss Alma Lewis, a daughter of Joseph E. Lewis. Mr. Lewis was a native of Ohio who cast his fortunes with Kansas in an early day of its history and died in this state. He was engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd began their married life living on a Chautauqua county farm, where they resided until 1907, when they moved to Sedan. They have four children—two boys and two girls—who are now attending the public schools of Sedan. Mrs. Floyd is a native of Kansas, born in Montgomery county, Oct. 30, 1872. She moved with her parents to Sedan, in 1875. She graduated in the Sedan High School, in 1889, and from that time until her marriage was one of the leading teachers in the public schools of Chautauqua county. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, while Mr. Floyd affiliates with the Baptist denomination.

Fraternally Mr. Floyd is a Mason, being a past master of Vesper Lodge, No. 136, of Sedan. He has attained the Thirty-second degree in Masonry, being a member of Wichita Consistory. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.