Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 595 - 596 

NORMAN CALHOUN. Many of the pioneers of this section of Kansas have served their country during the dark days of the Rebellion, making a record honorable and glorious. One of these brave boys is now a farmer and stock-raiser of Eagle Township, and is highly respected as a representative pioneer of Sedgwick County. He was born in Jackson County, Mich., Jan. 14, 1841, and is a son of George and Angelina (Porter) Calhoun, natives of Connecticut and New York. They were among the early settlers of Jackson County, moving there in 1828, and taking an active part in its development. They were prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Calhoun having served as Deacon for many years. He was highly regarded for his sterling worth in the community with whose interests his own were identified for so many years, and his death in 1850 was sincerely mourned by many to whom he had been a stanch friend. Shortly after the father's death the mother moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1857 married A. W. Haite; they are still living, she at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Our subject had two brothers and two sisters, namely: William, who died at the age of twenty-one; George; Julia, who died at the age of six years, and Sarah. Those surviving are all married and settled in life. George holds the office of Deacon of the Presbyterian Church at Clinton, Mich., his father's brother having held that position prior to his death in 1878.

            Mr. Calhoun of this sketch spent a part of his boyhood in the pioneer home of his parents. He attended the district school and assisted on the farm until he was eighteen years old. He then visited his mother in Pennsylvania, staying with her for nearly a year. He was in that State when the war broke out, and soon took steps to place himself among the brave men who were going forth to fight the battles of our country; he enlisted Sept. 13, 1861, in Company B, 111th Pennsylvania Infantry, and did faithful service until he was discharged three years later, Sept. 20, 1864, on account of being disabled by severe wounds. He served under Capt. Corrigan until 1862, and was under Capt. Warren the remainder of the time. Our subject took part in the skirmish at Culpeper, in the battle at Rappahannock Station, in the second battle of Bull Run, in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the last-mentioned battle he was wounded in the right leg and permanently disabled; he was laid up in the hospital at Chestnut Hill for nearly a year, not having the use of his limb at all. He was shot three different times; once at the battle of Rappahannock he was wounded in the ankle. These honorable wounds received while bravely fighting in defense of our country now entitle him to a pension.

            After the war Mr. Calhoun was engaged in the oil regions of Pennsylvania for about five years, meeting with good financial success. In 1870 he abandoned that business and came to Kansas, and from Ft. Scott took the stage for Eureka, and thence, in company with an emigrant, came to Wichita. At that time that city did not show much indications of its present dimensions and importance, as there were then but a few houses mostly built of logs, where now stand fine business blocks and beautiful dwellings. Mr. Calhoun has been very prosperous since coming here in the early days of Sedgwick County, and while assisting in the development of its agricultural resources has materially added to his own fortune. He owns a valuable farm of 232 acres, located on the northeast quarter of section 14, and on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 11. Besides attending carefully to the culture of his land he has paid much attention to rearing stock, keeping nearly fifty head of cattle, and from thirty to fifty Poland-China and Chester-White hogs; these he sells readily to the home market.

            Mr. Calhoun was married, April 9, 1873, to Miss Effie Jackson, who was born in Crawford County, Pa., July 8, 1849, daughter of William and Abigail (Pete) Jackson, natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. Mr. Jackson was ordained to the ministry in 1838, and followed his sacred calling for nearly fifty years, having retired about five years ago. To him and his wife were born five sons and three daughters: George (deceased), Charles, Effie, Olive (deceased), Andrew, Malvina, Jasper and William (deceased).

            The pleasant home circle of Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun is completed by their four children -- Charles Carroll, Mercy E., Abbie and Jessie, all of whom attend school. The whole family are valued members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Calhoun is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. He is influential in local affairs, and has taken an active part in school matters, having served as School Director of District No. 11, Eagle Township, and Treasurer six years, and has also held the office of Treasurer of the same board. He has always led an honest, honorable life, is always ready to extend a helping hand to the needy, and is held in deservedly high repute by all in the township.

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