My Genealogy Hound

Cholett Calkins, a well-known resident of South Lyon, Oakland County, and an honored survivor of the Civil War, was born in Lyon township, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1837, and is a son of William M. and Eliza (Ellis) Calkins, both of whom were born in the State of New York Our subject comes of Revolutionary stock. His grandfather, Jonathan Calkins, served six years in the War of the Revolution as a member of the 3rd Company in the First Massachusetts Regiment, which was commanded by Col. Joseph Vose, at the time of enlistment being but a lad of sixteen years. After the close of the war he settled in Vermont, but a few years later removed to Herkimer County, New York, where he married Nancy Ellis, who was a daughter of Samuel Ellis. His death occurred in Monroe County, New York, in 1833. He was the father of seven children, namely: Benjamin Ellis, who was married to Malinda Everett; Hannah, who married Eleazer Warner, of Herkimer County, where she lived until her death, which occurred after she had passed her ninetieth birthday; Daniel Warren, who was married to Mary Manwarren, and removed in 1836 to Lyon township, Oakland County; Eleazer, who came to Michigan in 1833 and took up land in Lyon township, Oakland County, the deed for which was signed by President Andrew Jackson — he was married to Annie Blood and reared four children, the survivor being Sylvester, a retired minister living in South Lyon, who was married first to Harriet Arms, of Brighton township, Livingston County, who died in April, 1892; his second wife being Jane Rodger, of Lyon township, Oakland County; John G., who was married to Elizabeth March, of New York; William M., and Benjamin Ellis, who came to Michigan in 1834 and purchased a farm in Lyon township, Oakland County.

William M. and Eliza (Ellis) Calkins, parents of our subject, were pioneers in Michigan, locating in Lyon township in 1833. They reared four children — Violett, Henry, Daniel and Cholett.

Cholett Calkins was educated in the district schools of Lyon township, where he was engaged in farming until he enlisted for service in the Civil War. On August 11, 1862, he became a member of the 22nd Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., and until his honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, on June 26, 1865, he performed a soldier’s duties, facing dangers and enduring hardships with a courage and heroism which brought him promotion and the esteem and confidence of his comrades and superiors. He was encamped with his regiment from November 1, 1862, to February 1, 1863, at Lexington, Kentucky, performing provost and guard duty, and when the regiment was sent to take part in the vigorous campaign which followed, he fought in every battle except that of Chickamauga, having on that occasion been detailed as a camp guard. His soldierly qualities caused his promotion to the rank of orderly sergeant.

In 1861 Mr. Calkins was married, first to Lucy Clark, who died in 1893. His second marriage was to Celia Dowd, who is a daughter of Seymour and Lucy (Skinner) (Bowen) Dowd. One son, Lawrence Cholett, has been born to the second marriage.

In politics Mr. Calkins has always been an active Republican. He is a Mason, also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He has also been prominent in Stansell Post, No. 456, G. A. R., and in 1890 was appointed assistant inspector of the Michigan Department, G. A. R., by Henry M. Duffield, department commander. Mr. Calkins may feel a just pride in his army record. With his comrades he has been honored in story and song, for Oakland County recalls vividly the days when her sons were fighting for the Nation’s life and points proudly to them.

Sons of Macomb and broad St. Clair,
And Oakland’s rolling fields, were there.
And now they tell, with patriot pride,
How that great day they fought beside
The Rock of Chickamauga.