Newton L. Calhoun

CALHOUN, SAUNDERS, FARRER, WALKER, TORRENCE

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 17:42:14

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890 Mr.
NEWTON L. CALHOUN
Newton L. Calhoun is a representative of one of the pioneer families whose history is inseparably connected with that of Van Buren County. Throughout southeastern Iowa the name is known as representing men of sterling worth, engaged in agricultural pursuits, who in many ways have also labored for the best interests of the community and for the welfare of town, county and State. His honored parents, Newton and Esther Saunders Calhoun, are mentioned more fully in the sketch of his brother Vurnum. His birth occurred on the homestead farm July 31, 1840, succeeding the arrival of the family in the Territory of Iowa. He acquired his education in the Birmingham schools, and having attained his majority on the last day of July 1861, he enlisted the following month in Company H, Third Iowa Cavalry, for three year’s service in the War of the Rebellion. The first two years his regiment spent in Missouri, where the troops were engaged in dispersing rebels, capturing supplies, etc. Proceeding southward they afterwards participated in the capture of Little Rock Arkansas. Mr. Calhoun did not veteranize at the close of his term of service but remained in that city until sent to Keokuk, where he received his discharge September 19, 1864. During the last year and a half of his service he held the office of Commissary Sergeant.
Returning to Birmingham, Mr. Calhoun spent the following winter in school and then devoted himself to the occupation of farming, by which he has since not only gained a livelihood but which has proved to him the means of securing a handsome competence. On March 1, 1866 he was united in marriage with Margaret E. Farrer, a native of Ohio, born April 30, 1844. Three children graced their union—Orange S., who is now a farmer of Van Buren County; M. Nellie, wife of Charles S. Walker, son of Maj. Walker; and Joseph F. Mr. Calhoun was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on October 26, 1886. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church and was beloved by all for her excellent character. On November 14, 1889, he was again married, his second union being with Eliza J. Torrence, a native of Lick Creek Township. She also is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady of culture.
Forty-four years have passed in which Mr. Calhoun has known no other home than the farm upon which he yet resides. It is endeared to him by many associations of his boyhood, his youth and of mature years. Here his children were born and here he has become a prosperous citizen as the result of his industrious and thrifty efforts. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in political sentiment supports the Republican Party by which he was several terms elected Assessor of his Township. He is engaged in farming on an extensive scale also is one of the large stock-raisers of the county and is the oldest native citizen of his township.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.