History of Hamilton County Ohio
Portraits of Richard Calvin and wife, with biography
facing page 297
transcribed by Karen Klaene

Richard CALVIN was born at the old family homestead in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1806. His father, Joshua, was of German extraction, and held the office of captain at Marker's Hook, below Philadelphia, in the War of 1812. All his grandparents were born and grew up to young manhood and early womanhood at or near Kingwood, Hunterdon county, New Jersey. All were farmers, except his grandfather on his father's side, who was a miller, but who devoted most of his time to agricultural pursuits. They all took an active part in the Revolution and reflected much credit on their names. His mother's father was for many years justice of the peace. His grandfather CALVIN had six children, and his grandfather UPDIKE ten children. Mr. CALVIN'S father and mother were the oldest out of each family. His father died at seventy-seven years, and his mother at eighty-five years, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, being the seat of their death. Susan Ann was his mother's given name. RICHARD CALVIN had four brothers and six sisters --Jonathan, Katie, Grace, Clara See, Fannie, Rebecca, Samuel, Luther, Susan, William. Nearly all the family are dead, while those remaining are scattered throughout the land. Richard was born at Erwinna, a noted post office near Doylestown, the county seat. At the close of the War of 1812, his father bought a farm on the Delaware, settled, raised a large family, and though not wealthy, was a powerful factor in all enterprises of private and public importance. He served two terms in the legislature about 1822. It was at the old homestead that Richard received his education. As was the fashion then, he attended school during the winter months only. Mathematics was his favorite study, and from his natural talents more than anything else, was enabled in after years to compute and draft for public contracts. At twenty-two years of age he left home, went between Bristol and Easton and there, in partnership with Isaac OTIS, engaged in building a canal from Bristol to Easton. This was his first public contract. He next employed himself in erecting a dam on the Schuylkill and building a railroad from Port Clinton to Mockway. Here he became acquainted with Miss Martha HANN, an English girl, a resident of Pottsville. They were married at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and settled at the same place for a time. Anna, his first child, was born at Reading in 1832. He next contracted for building an inclined plane railway, very heavy work, over Broad mountain, which was the first inclined railway in Pennsylvania. He next migrated to Michigan, because of non-employment in Pennsylvania. PORTER was governor then, and on him CALVIN called and was treated kindly. This was the second year after the Black Hawk war. Here he bought six or seven hundred acres of land, paid for it in cash, and began farming on the St. Joseph river. Indians and all manner of wild animals were in profusion; and here, too, overtook them death and ill health, losing two of their household. On account of these disasters the farm was sold, and from Michigan they changed to Logansport, Indiana. While here he contracted in building locks and bridges. In 1837 he located in Indianapolis, and again took contracts for bridges and canals. Then he changed to Putnam county, took more contracts, and here, too, his second daughter, Bettie, was born, 1840. In 1841 the State I became bankrupt, and then a change was made to Harrison, Ohio, turning his attention to agriculture. In 1844 his daughter Mattie was born. Again, in 1845, at the earnest solicitation of the Whitewater Canal company, he engaged in building and improving dams on the river, between Brookville and Lawrenceburgh.

Mrs. CALVIN was born in England, and came to the United States when a child, and grew to womanhood at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Her parents were prominent miners, and brought men from England to carry on mining in the Eastern States. Her brothers were active in the cause of freedom, and early gave their time and means to their chosen land. One of them is now a government collector at Detroit, Michigan. They are large, strong, powerful men. She is one out of a family of twelve children - the third in line. Only three of her children live: Anna, wife of Charles HILTS, who has four daughters and one son; Bettie, wife of George C. HUSTON, who has two daughters and one son; and Mattie (wife of Thomas TAYLOR, son of ex-mayor of Cincinnati, Mark P. TAYLOR) whose husband is deputy sheriff of the county. In politics and education RICHARD CALVIN is favorably known. In 1865 the Republican party elected him sheriff by a majority of five thousand. By nature he is adapted to accumulate property; by nature he is honest and benevolent; by nature he is admirable and worthy of esteem. Mr. CALVIN retired from business on account of failing eyesight; and though feeble, he may yet see many more years of happiness, His life has been a successful one, and amidst all his trials and tribulations, has been above reproach. Exposure and hardship often bring to light admirable qualities in men, and in Mr. CALVIN'S case they certainly produced. this result. No one can lay to his action an uncharitable deed.