Calvin Breeden, b. 29 May 1830

HARRIS, MARTIN, WILSON

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/22/2004 at 10:15:49

Calvin Breeden, one of the earliest pioneers of this county, and a Union soldier during the late war, was born May 29, 1830, in Edgar County, Ill., and is the son of Richard and Lucretia (Harris) Breeden, who were both born and reared near Louisville, Ky., and were of Irish and Scotch ancestry. The parents were married in Kentucky, and removed to Monroe County, Ind., where the father opened up a farm from the heavy timber. Later he removed to Putnam County, Ind., and improved another farm, after which he changed his residence to Edgar County, Ill., building up there also a new farm. In 1838 he came to this county, settling in Farmers' Creek Township, being the fourth man to locate here. He made the journey overland by wagon, and drove his livestock. The nearest market was at Galena, and the nearest mill six miles north of Dubuque. The Indians had not yet left the country.

In Farmers' Creek Township the Breeden family settled on section 15, where they lived many years, then removed across the Maquoketa River. The father died in 1870, and the mother in 1872, each aged eighty-three years. Most of their lives had been spent on the frontier. They had fourteen children, thirteen of whom lived to mature years, and six are still living.

Calvin Breeden was married, in September, 1853, to Miss Adelia, daughter of Jacob and Susan Martin. Prior to this, however, he had, in 1850, crossed the plains with a wagon train to California, where he engaged in mining until the year of his marriage. His sister Jane is still living in California. Mr. Breeden, after his return to Iowa and his marriage, engaged in farming, which he prosecuted until 1860. He then visited Pike's Peak, but returned in a few months, and in the spring of 1862, enlisted in Company B, 26th Iowa Infantry. He was first appointed Sergeant and then promoted to Lieutenant, and commanded the company at the battle of Arkansas Post. He was thereafter in many of the important battles of the war, and at Greenville suffered a broken leg. He also had the smallpox, and his constitution generally was undermined by exposure and illness, but notwithstanding this he is a man much younger looking than many of his age.

Mr. Breeden is the owner of a fine farm of eighty-four acres, well improved, and lying on section 22. His children are: Frances M.; Otto N.; Rosa M., (Mrs. Frank Wilson) of Butler County, this State; and Daisy N. One child, Eva, died at the age of six months.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)