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Submitted: 3/26/20 • Approved: 3/26/20 • Last Updated: 3/29/20 • R288470-G0-S3
17 October 1838 - 11 November 1911
John Christopher Calvin came from Kentucky and married Sarah Jane Elizabeth Chaffee of Missouri. They came to Texas after the Civil war and settled first in Denton County, Texas.
They moved farther west, but there were requirements for their new home. John Calvin wanted plenty of water and wood. He found 254 acres in the northeast corner of young County in the Markley community. There were plenty of rocks to build a house, oak trees for making rail fences, a flowing spring of water. The land was high at $3.00 an acre.
The spring furnished water for 13 families. Hauling water on a horse-drawn sled in a barrell was a chore, so a well was dug 20 feet from the house and water was found in abundance.
John Calvin decided to sell his farm. He had circulars printed and posted in various places of Young County, then proceeded to hunt for a better farm. He came upon one of the circulars, read about the good grass land, timber, the water spring, etc. and not realizing it was his own advertisement, he decided this was just what he had been searching for. Reading further, he discovered that it was his own farm! Needless to say, he was content to remain on his farm for the rest of his life.
John Calvin helped to organize the Plum Grove Baptist church at Markley, Texas.
Parents:
John Columbus Calvin
1794–1856
Elizabeth Van Meter Calvin
1808–1866
Spouse: (m. 23 March 1871 at St. Louis, Missouri)
Sarah Jean Elizabeth Chaffee Calvin
1847–1908
Children:
Robert James Calvin
1872–1929
Christopher Charles Calvin
1876–1963
Jacob Calvin
1880–1880
Thomas Oscar Calvin
1883–1957
Ruth Calvin
1886–1886
Joseph H. Calvin
1888–1901
Contributed on 3/26/20 by r19g49r
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Record #: 288470