Biographical Sketch of William L. Calhoon - Ralls County, Missouri

From "History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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WILLIAM L. CALHOON
	William L. Calhoon, who has at the present period a general 
merchandise establishment in Camden on the south border of Stevens county,
is on of the pioneers of this section and one of the highly respected and 
substantial citizens,whose labors have ever been put forth in wisdom for 
upbuilding and general progress.
   William L. Calhoon was born in Ralls county,Missouri on January 23,1834,
the son of John and Susan M. (Tracy) Calhoon,natives of Kentucky. They 
settled in Missouri in early days,the father giving his attention to farming
and cabinet making. Eleven children were born to them,as follows:R.P.;W.L.;
Henry,deceased;Elizabeth D.;V.B.;Susan M.;Nicholas;J.W.;Hattie;Fountain,
and Rebecca. The father died in February,1861,and the mother in September,
1860. Our subject received his educational training in thee little log school
house in his native place,continuing the same during three months of each 
year. The rest of his time was spent in assisting hid father until he was
twenty years old,when he took a position at fourteen dollars per month,
working for a neighboring farmer. After two years spent at this, he learned 
the plasterer's trade. Next he learned the carpenter's trade and did 
contracting for a number of years in Hannibal,Missouri. In 1890 he came to 
the vicinity of Camden  and located on unserveyed land. He improved his 
land in excellent shape and for nine years he resided there. His health 
failed and he came to Camden,bought a stock and general merchandise,and 
opened a store. For three years he attended this establishment,being also 
a postmaster,then resigned and visited friends and relatives in various 
parts of the country. In the spring of 1903,Mr.Calhoon came to Camden and 
opened up his present business.
   In 1862 Mr.Calhoon married Miss Susan,daughter of Jerimiah and Polina
Lancaster,natives of Kentucky and pioneers of Missouri. The father was a 
noted attorney in Ralls county and they were the parents of six children.
Albert G.,Henry B.,Maty,Eliza,Susan and Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs Calhoon were
the parents of the following children:William B.,in Seattle;Clarence E.,
city marshall at Republic,Washington;Maude E. Murnan,a widow residing in
Stevens county:Claude E.,in Alaska;Stella E., wife of William Kirklin,
living in Camden;Ollie M.,wife of James Walker at Republic,Washington;
Ernest C., in Camden. Ernest C. has recently returned from a three year's
cruise on a United States transport boat,having visited China,Japan,Aust-
raila,South America,Honolulu,and various other points.
   Mr.Calhoon is an active Republican and ever takes keen interest in the
questions of the day. He assisted in organizing district number forty-one,
and was director for five successive years. In 1896 he was elected justice
of the peace. He is a particular friend of Senator Foster. On July 1,1862
Mr.Calhoon enlisted in Company E,State Militia of Missouri under Colonel
Tinker and served in that capacity until August 1,1864 when he was trans-
ferred to the Thirty-ninth United States Volunteers,and was mustered out
March 25,1865 at Macon,Missouri. He had been in active service during six
years and was in the battle in Jefferson,Missouri,when Price's whole army
was captured. Mr. Calhon went in as a private and advanced to the postion
of First Lieutenant,which commission he still holds in the Missouri Militia.
He is a member of the G.A.R. and also of the Catholic chruch.Mrs.Calhoon
died on February 4,1884,in Hannibal,Missouri.


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