Elias Ahira Calkins (1828 - 1904)

Born 7 Feb 1828 in Royalton, Niagara, New York

Ancestors

Husband of Helen Eliza (Keyes) Calkins — married 29 Sep 1857 in Portage City, Columbia, Wisconsin

Died 24 Nov 1904 at age 76 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois

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Biography

Elias was born in 1828. Elias was the child of James Calkins and Sarah Bills. He married Helen Eliza Keyes in Columbia, Wisconsin in 1857.^[1] Elias passed away in 1904. ^[2]

Memorials of deceased companions of the Commandery of the State of Illinois, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Volume 2

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Illinois, 1912

ELIAS AHIRA CALKINS was born at Royalton, New York, February 7th, 1828, and departed this life November 24th, 1904, at Chicago, Illinois. In 1843, at the age of fifteen years, he arrived, by sailing vessel, at the port of Milwaukee, and eventually became one of Wisconsin's distinguished citizens. Prior to entering upon military service, he was a newspaper editor and publisher, and ranked amongst the foremost Democratic political counsellors of his State. Early in the Civil War our Companion was commissioned Major of the First Battalion of the Third Regiment Wisconsin Cavalry, U. S. V., and was mustered into the United States service on January 28th, 1862, at Janesville, Wisconsin. With his Regiment he served continuously in the Army of the Frontier—in Missouri, Arkansas and the Cherokee Nation—and the Seventh Army Corps. He was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy October 24th, 1863, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, as Lieutenant-Colonel, February 24th, 1865. He was elected a Companion of the First Class of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States through the Commandery of the State of Wisconsin, March 2nd, 1892, and, by reason of change of residence, was transferred to the Commandery of the State of Illinois, October 9th, 1900. At the close of his military career, he resumed the occupation of journalist and continued his literary pursuits until the date of his death. His life record is one to be proud of. No better soldier ever served his country, and his reputation in civil life is without stain. As a member of Geo. H. Thomas Post G. A. R. and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion he was an enthusiastic and devoted comrade and companion. His scholastic attainments were beyond the ordinary, and his editorial writings possessed great power and breadth of thought. To quote from the remarks of Dr. DeBlois, pastor of the First Baptist Church: "Colonel Calkins had a great deal of force, but he also had will, and this will force made him a power in the councils of his party in the State in which he settled when he came to the West. It took him to the war when his country needed his services, and it gave him a high place on the great newspapers with which he was connected." "He went through some of the most dangerous parts of the Civil War, taking part in which there was more danger than glory, yet he always performed his duty well. His home life was beautiful and the affection he had for his family was one of the grandest traits of his character." To his bereaved family we extend our profound respect and sympathy. To his comrades and friends we voice the word "Farewell" for yet a little while. On the other bank of the great river he waits and watches for our home-coming, and we shall soon stand beside him. George; H. Heafford, Heman B. Jackson, Wilton A. Jenkins, Committee.

Sources

1. ↑ Wisconsin, Marriage Index, 1820-1907 Volume: 01 Page: 0098
2. ↑ First-hand information as remembered by Thomas Calkins, Friday, September 12, 2014. Replace this citation if there is another source.

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