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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Thomas Calvert

Thomas Calvert, for many years associated with farming interests, is now practically living retired in Dana, although since 1894 he has been president and one of the directors of the Dana Co-operative Creamery Company. His birth occurred in the city of Crook, county of Durham, England, on the 16th of November, 1844. His father was John Calvert, also a native of County Durham, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1850, for he believed that he could better provide for his family in the new world, having heard very favorable reports concerning the opportunities and advantages offered on this side the Atlantic. He located at New Diggings, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, being a miner by occupation. In 1862 he responded to the call of his adopted country and enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company C, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the 9th of August, 1865, making a good record as a soldier who was always on duty. He took part in many important engagements including the battle of Cold Water, the Meridian expedition and the siege of Vicksburg. He never faltered in the performance of any duty, although it called him to the heat of battle on the firing line or stationed him on the lonely picket line. Returning from the war. he continued to live in Wisconsin until his removal to Henry county, Illinois, and after the death of his wife, about 1880, he came to Greene county, Iowa, and made his home with his son Thomas until his demise in the year 1890. Mrs. Calvert bore the maiden name of Ann Bruskill. She was born in England and died in Henry county, Illinois, in 1880. In the family were seven children of whom Thomas is the eldest, the others being: Mary, who was born in 1847 and died in the same year; Robert, a resident farmer of Dawson township, Greene county, Iowa; Mary, who was born in 1851 and died in childhood; Hannah, who was born while her parents were crossing the Atlantic; John, who was born in Wisconsin and died in infancy; and Mathew, now living in Montana.

Thomas Calvert spent his boyhood days in New Diggings, Wisconsin. His educational opportunities were limited, for at an early age he began work in the mines, assisting in the care of the family when his father was in the war. After the father returned from the front Thomas Calvert enlisted, becoming corporal for Company C, Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer In fantry on the 6th of February, 1865. He served with that command until honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, June 12, 1866. He went as far south as St. Louis and did considerable bushwhacking in Missouri, also fighting the Indians on the frontier of the west. During his fifteen months’ service he was always on duty, never losing a day from illness.

Soon after the war the family located in Henry county, Illinois, where Thomas Calvert and his father worked in the mines. In 1875 he came to Greene county and purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land in Hardin township. He had only enough money left with which to purchase a load of lumber which he utilized in building a shanty. He hauled brick from Jefferson and put them into the wall at night, using a shingle for a trowel. In order to gain some ready money he worked in the mines during the winter months while the summer season he spent in the work of the farm. He spent three winters in Carpenter Brothers’ mine and four winters in mines owned by Isaac Busse. For a long period Mr. Calvert actively, energetically and successfully carried on farming and in 1904 he and his wife made a visit to old friends inWisconsin and in the same year retired from business life, removing to Dana. That Mr. Calvert prospered in the meantime is shown by the fact that he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of good farm land in Hardin township and a pleasant home in Dana. During all his years of hardship and struggle he had by his side his faithful wife whom he married in Wisconsin on the 9th of May, 1867.

Mrs. Calvert bore the maiden name of Margaret Peacock and was born in Wisconsin, March 19, 1844, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hutchinson) Peacock. Her father was born in Arkengathdale, England, September 10, 1818, was married in 1841, and the following year came to America, being among the early settlers at New Diggings, Wisconsin. He was an industrious man, temperate in his habits and careful in his business affairs, so that in the course of years he acquired a considerable property. He and his wife were converted in 1849 and for nearly half a century were devoted members of the Primitive Methodist church. The father died in 1897 and the mother, with nine of her thirteen children, is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Calvert have been born seven children: Mary Ellen, the wife of Edward Davenport, of Hardin township; Ida Ann, the wife of Jesse Hillman, of Junction township; Margaret Arena, the wife of Walter J. Elling, of Dana; John Q., who married Mary Wilkins and lives on the home farm; Thomas G., who wedded Mary Allen and is a farmer of Hardin township; Robert William, who is also living on the old home farm; and Mathew Henry, who married Olive Teasdale and also resides upon a part of his father’s farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Calvert are members of and were among the organizers of Mount Horeb Methodist Episcopal church, of Hardin township, and for twelve years he conducted a Sunday school at Harker’s schoolhouse, in Hardin township, attending his own church services in the morning and Sunday school in the afternoon. He has done much to promote the moral development of the community and puts forth every effort in his power to advance the work of the church and extend its influence. His political views are in accord with the principles as embodied in the republican platform, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public oflice. He served for six years on the county board of supervisors, also as school director, township trustee and justice of the peace for many years, filling the last named position in Dana at the present time. His fraternal relations connect him with the Odd Fellows at Dana, the Masons at Jefterson and the Yeomen at Des Moines. He became one of the organizers of the Dana Co-operative Creamery Company in 1894 and has since been one of its directors and its president. His life has ever been upright, his actions manly and sincere. He holds friendship inviolable, is true to social and home ties and in citizenship is loyal and progressive.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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