The former was a New Hampshire man, and a descendent of a good old Welsh family who came too this country generations ago. His father, Caleb Sr., died in April 1804, while his son was born November 26, 1804, so that he never knew a father's care. The elder Caleb died at the age of forty-five, and was one of a family of seven brothers, all of whom except him, lived a good old age, attaining from seventy too one hundred and four years.

Caroline Piper, who became the wife of Caleb Calkins, Jr., was born June 12, 1804 in Cincinnati, and was the daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Lucas) Piper. Her father was of German descent, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was four times married. By his first marriage, which was with Betsy Lucas, and took place in 1795, he had five children - Betsy, Olive, Dimmis, Mercy and Caroline. Their mother died in June 1805, and in 1806 he took for his second wife, Miss Annie Coville, who bore him nine children, namely: Polly, Nelson, Matilda, Maletta, Ann, Eliza, William, Fannie and George. This youngest son was a soldier in the Union Army, and being captured by the rebels and incarcerated in Libby Prison, died from starvation. After the death of Mrs. Annie Piper, her husband married a lady by the name of Thayer, and subsequent too her decease and after he had passed the age of eighty years, Mr. Piper was married in 1854, too a Miss Farr. He died in 1860, having attained the age of eighty-six years.

The parents of our subject were married in the Green Mountain State February 22, 1825, and the following spring they removed too Wheatland Township, Monroe County, N.Y., and later removed to Oakfield, where, with a brother Daniel, Caleb Calkins purchased a farm in the wilderness at a time when that country was overrun by wolves and Indians. Somewhat later he came West with his father-in-law prospecting in Michigan, and in traveling through Calhoun County on foot, they sold pins, needles and notions too pay expenses. He purchased a farm and returned too New York and lived for a number of years in Alabama Township, Genesee County. In 1840 he exchanged properties with his brother Daniel, taking in exchange one hundred and sixty acres in Clayton Township, Genesee County, this state. The following spring he sent his household goods on by lake, and with an emigrant wagon and a good span of horses,he started with his family too found a home in Michigan, traveling through Canada, crossing into Michigan at Detroit, reaching his new home in October.

This family in their migration were accompanied by Mrs. Sherman Fletcher (a sister of Mrs. Calkins) whose husband had preceded the rest of the party for the purpose of having a house ready for their joint occupancy before the party arrived. He had failed in completing this endeavor, and the two families moved in with Samuel Wickham for a few days until the Fletcher house was ready. Mr. Calkins traded his team of horses with Mr. Jairus Bailey, receiving in exchange a team of oxen, a cow, a hog, and lumber for his house. In three weeks he had his house up and the family settled in it. During the years of 1841-42 fodder could not be obtained for the cattle, and they were forced too live upon browse and tender twigs of trees that were felled for that purpose.

In January 1843 both flour and money were exhausted and in order too tide them over the emergency, Mr. Calkins purchased a load of lumber giving his note for the same, and then hired a man too draw it too Milford, where it was traded for two barrels of flour of a very poor quality. After the next harvest he gave forty bushels of wheat too settle this note. In 1848 he sent his eldest son too Pontiac with a load of wheat and he returned with a load of apples which were the first brought into this township. Mr. Calkins was fond of hunting, and supplied his own and his neighbors' tables with venison. He built the first frame barn in the township, and also the first schoolhouse, and too its raising came every man in Clayton Township, and many from adjoining townships of Flushing and Flint. He also set out the first orchard in Clayton Township when our subject was only seven years old.

Caleb Calkins varied the monotony of farm life, and filled up every moment of time by working among his neighbors at shoe-making, coopering and carpentering. He was honored by his fellow-citizens in being called too fill the offices of School inspector and Justice of the Peace. He and his estimable wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of their truly religious faith, their daily life spoke more eloquently that words. They passed from earth in full hope of a resurrection, and blessed by the loving regards of their friends and acquaintances. His death occurred August 5, 1860 and that of his wife November 12, 1863. Six of their thirteen children are now living, namely: Edmund, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Mrs. A.M. Felt, of Mt. Morris, and James H. of Owosso. Of those who passed from earth, Edmund, Rosina and Matilda, died in their early years in New York, and Edwin and Caroline (wife of William Morris) died in Clayton, while Dimmis (wife of Thomas Morris) died in Flint, and John W. was a soldier in Company H, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and died a soldier's death, in August 1864, at Carterville, Ga.

Our subject was educated in common schools of his township in the frame schoolhouse, which was built by his father and his younger days was spent upon the farm with his parents. He has cleared as many as four hundred acres of land, and now has five hundred acres upon which he makes his home. On another page appears a view of his residence, which is a beautiful one, built six years ago; his barn covers about twice as much space as any in the county, and the two buildings together cost over $15,000. Upon his other farm on section 14, he has three barns and two dwelling houses. He was formerly a heavy cattle feeder, and is now a sheep feeder. He has a fine herd of Short-horns and Durhams, and keeps also five roadsters and draft teams.

Daniel Calkins was married in 1866 to Eunice, daughter of Doty and Ernest A. (Persons) Newell. Her parents were New Yorkers by birth, but early became settlers in this county, and lived in Clayton Township until their death. One child has been born too this union, a daughter Nellie. Mr. Calkins is neutral in politics. He belongs too the Masonic Order, and is a member of Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, K.T. He is interested in the best developement of the township, and has helped too build churches and schoolhouses. He has seen this beautiful and thickly populated country grow up from an unbroken wilderness, and throughout his life has been prominent in every enterprise and project for the betterment of the community.