Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

CALVIN WHITNEY

Calvin Whitney, son of Robert and Sarah Malhala Harris Whitney, was for many years an enterprising and successful fruit farmer in Saugatuck, living just outside the village limits.

When but fourteen years of age he started out to make his fortune; he worked at brick-laying until the outbreak of the Civil War, when in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Michigan Cavalry, though he was only seventeen years old; he served throughout the war, his regiment being discharged at San Antonio, Texas, in February, 1865. After this be went to Cleveland and took a business course, attending night classes so he could work during the day.

Coming to Saugatuck he ran the Saugatuck House for several years and in 1874, was married to Miss Johanna Burns, only daughter of John Burns, a native of Prussia, coming to America in 1854.

Mr. Whitney besides farming interested himself in, several other business enterprises, the Saugatuck Basket Factory —also in a Chicago Boat line.

Mr. Whitney died in August and Mrs. Whitney the following June; as they had no children, they left bequests to F.& A. M. of which Mr. Whitney was a member, to the Congregational church and society of which Mrs. Whitney was a charter member and organist for many years, also $500 to the village for park purposes, and $500 for beautifying the school grounds. They were a most worthy couple.

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Mother's maiden name was Sarah Malhala Harris

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From Portrait and Biographical
By Kalamazoo Allegan and Van Buren Counties, 1892

Calvin WHITNEY is one of the enterprising farmers of Saugatuck Township, Allegan County. He makes his home on ten acres of beautiful land on section 10, and owns besides that property a tract of two hundred and forty acres on sections 2 and 11, forty-seven of which are covered with timber. He is the son of Robert and Sarah (Harris) Whitney, natives of New York State. His parents came to the Wolverine State before their marriage.

Robert Whitney was twice married, our subject being the eldest son by his second marriage. He was given the advantages of a common-school education and at the early age of fourteen started to carve out his own fortune. That his industry has been rewarded can be answered by viewing his fine estate. He worked at brick-laying, however, until the outbreak of the Civil War, when, August 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Michigan Cavalry. His regiment was sent to Missouri and did good service under Gen. Fremont. The first engagement in which he participated was at New Madrid, Mo., and at that time he was only seventeen years old. His regiment was discharged at San Antonio, Tex., in February, 1865. He saw three years' service and veteranized at La Grange, Tenn. His regiment was under the command of Fremont, Pope and Grant at different periods and our subject was one of the very few fortunate ones who fought in the army, as he was never taken prisoner or received a wound.

After his discharge from the army, Calvin Whitney went to Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College. On finishing his course, he came to Saugatuck where he engaged as "mine host" of the Saugatuck Hotel for about six years. In May, 1874, he was happily married to Miss Johanna C. Burns, daughter of John Burns, a native of Prussia. Her parents emigrated to America about 1854 and Mrs. Whitney wras born in Baltimore, February 5, 1855.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitney of this sketch have a beautiful home adjoining the village of Saugatuck, where they entertain a large circle of friends. Mr. Whitney is very prominent in business circles and is at the head of the firm of C. Whitney & Co. In politics, he is a stalwart Republican and has been honored by being elected Justice of the Peace. His father in law lives on a farm adjoining; his mother in law died in 1891. Mr. Whitney is one of the wealthy men of Saugatuck Township, where he and his family are greatly respected.