From "History of North Washington" Published 1904 Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 church.Mrs.Calhoon died on February 4,1884,in Hannibal,Missouri. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.