My Genealogy Hound

Hiram Calvin, of the firm of Clemson & Calvin, although a young man, is one of the most successful business men in this portion of the State. He has been running the business exclusively for six and a half years last, having come to this point with a stock of goods in December, 1882. He passed through the country eighteen months before the road was built, and, from what he reported, his partner in Illinois bought 4,200 acres of timber land, about half of which still belongs to the estate. They commenced business in Clay County, Ark., with a stock of goods worth $2,497, which has been increased since then to $3,500. In addition to the store, the firm own a stave-mill, which they operate, and a farm of 120 acres, all under improvement and well stocked. They have also been interested in steamboats on the river, and still own a small interest there. The original and only investment in goods and buildings amounted to $3,100, and, at a very low estimate, profits worth $10,000, and the first investment, have been paid out. Hiram Calvin is the son of K. T. Calvin and Angie (Rifner) Calvin, and the grandson, on his mother’s side, of Peter and Elizabeth (Rockafellow) Rifner. Peter Rifner was a soldier in the War of 1812, being commissioned by Gen. Harrison as commander of a company. R. T. Calvin was born in New Jersey, and emigrated to Harrison, Ohio, when a young man. There he married Miss Rifner. Hiram Calvin casts his vote with the Democratic party, and is a member of the “Triple Alliance.” He married Miss Gussie Boren, daughter of Cole Boren, of Mound City, Ill., who was a pilot on the Mississippi River, and whose father, Morgan Boren, was born in Tennessee, in 1789, he being a soldier in the Black Hawk War. The latter married Miss Anna Lathran, of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Calvin have been born three children: Fannie, Gussie and Aggie. Mr. Clemson died March 30, 1889, at his residence near Olmsted, Ill., aged sixty-four years and ten days.