Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed., 1886. Allen County. JOHN D. CALVERT is a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Ritter) Calvert, the former of whom is the youngest in a family of twelve children; he was born in Allen County, Ky., on the 1st of October, 1828. Elizabeth Ritter was a daughter of David and Annie Ritter, who were Virginians by birth, and were among the first settlers of Barren County, Ky. She died on the 6th of April, 1882, leaving one son and three daughters, of which John D. is the eldest. His grandfather, John D. Calvert, was a native of Virginia, born in 1782, married Jane Russell in 1804, and soon emigrated from Virginia and settled near Long Creek, in Barren, now Allen County, Ky. He, his wife and one child made the journey from Virginia to Kentucky in a two-wheeled vehicle called a "cart." He was an energetic man, had no education, but was successful in business, and accumulated a large fortune, which at his death descended to his family of twelve children. He died in Allen County, Ky., in 1856, aged seventy-four years, having survived his wife, who died in 1833. John D. Calvert, subject, was born September 17, 1849 in Allen County, Ky. His early education was limited - such as was afforded by the schools of the day - but by close application to study he acquired a fair business education. Until attaining his majority he remained on the farm where he was born. On the 1st day of August, 1870, he married Virginia Gibson, a daughter of Robert and Mary J. Gibson, of Barren County, Ky. They were of Irish descent. After his marriage Mr. Calvert was engaged in farming in connection with the lumber trade, in which he was very successful. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of Allen County, which office he held for four years; he has also served several terms as constable in the Seventh District, and was one of the magistrates of Allen County from 1875 to 1878. Politically Mr. Calvert is a Democrat. He is a man of strict principles, and his business transactions, both in public and private life, have gained for him many friends. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. He is a Master Mason, and his membership is in Graham Lodge, No. 208. Mr. Calvert is interested in the cause of education, and gives much attention to the culture of the minds of his children, of whom three are living: Caleb, Cora and John. Calvert Gibson Ritter Russell = Barren VA http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/allen/calvert.jd.txt