Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Calvin, Hon. Samuel July 30, 1811 - 1890
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
BCG S noemail@none.com July 5, 2025, 1:35 pm

Source: Twentieth Century History of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold, 1911
Author: Jesse C. Sell

HON. SAMUEL CALVIN, deceased, was once a distinguished citizen of
Pennsylvania, his native state, in which, for many years he was a political
leader, and he was an eminent lawyer of Blair County, where his name is
inscribed with those who have reflected honor on her bar. He was born in
Columbia County, July 30, 1811, and was a son of Matthew and Mary Calvin, the
former of whom was born in Chester County, Pa.
     Samuel Calvin profited by the educational advantages afforded him and
when he completed his course at the Milton. Academy he was tendered and
accepted the principalship of Huntingdon Academy, and two years later he
became a student of law under Attorney James M. Bell, of that place. He was
admitted to the bar in April, 1836, and in the following July became a
resident of Hollidaysburg, which remained his chosen home until the close of
his long and useful life, his death taking place in 1890. For forty years he
was one of the ablest and most successful law practitioners of Blair County,
possessing a keen, vigorous, alert mind. He was deeply interested in the
public school question and for forty-five years was a member of the school
board of Hollidaysburg. He was equally at home in considering public
questions, being a close and sound student and having a broad and masterful
mental grasp of every problem which he set himself to solve. These qualities
were apparent in the attention he gave to local affairs and still more so
when he became a member of Congress, elected in 1848, on the Whig ticket.
     This was a memorable congress - the slave question being then of great
public importance - while then, as now, the tariff question was also a
paramount one. In this, the Thirty-first Congress, Mr. Calvin represented
Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Center Counties, and his speeches and
writings during this remarkable session in favor of the protection of American
industries, might, with profit, have been carefully considered by the august
body which closed its labors on the tariff, at Washington, D.C., a half
century later. He also foresaw the importance of carefully drawn currency
laws - now also a burning question and with remarkable clearness of view,
proposed remedies not different from the advanced opinions of the leading
present day financiers. When the Civil War was precipitated he took his place
in the ranks and helped protect his country from the invasion by the enemy.
     Mr. Calvin was married December 26, 1843, to Miss Rebecca S. Blodgett,
who was born in Bedford County, Pa., and they had three children, one of whom
is deceased. The survivors are Matthew and Eliza, the latter of whom is the
widow of Dr. G. W. Smith.
     Matthew Calvin, the surviving son of the late Samuel Calvin, was born at
Hollidaysburg and was educated in the Hollidaysburg Academy and the Lewisburg
University. He prepared for the bar under his father's supervision, was
subsequently admitted and has been in active practice at Hollidaysburg ever
since, and maintains his office at No. 417 Montgomery Street. Mr. Calvin is
additionally interested in business enterprises. In politics he is an ardent
Republican and has frequently been honored by his party by appointment to
positions of prominence and responsibility. His residence is at No. 612
Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg.

Additional Comments:
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Blair 
County Genealogical Society, 431 Scotch Valley Road, 
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Copied and proofread by Linda M. 
Shillinger LindasTree@aol.com  OCRed by Judy Banja 
jbanja@comcast.net

This file has been created by a form at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pafiles/

File size: 4.2 Kb