East Longmeadow, Apr 11 - Abel Henry Calkins, 97, oldest citizen in the town and one of the few remaining pioneers of the famous California "gold rush" of 1849, died Saturday afternoon at his home on Calkins avenue after several months illness.
He was born in Monson, son of Abel and Esther (Mixter) Calkins. His father was deputy sheriff of Hamden county for 20 years. Mr. Calkins was a farmer most of his life. In 1848 he came to East Longmeadow and later joined the famous band of gold seekers in California, making the trip by way of Panama, crossing the isthmus on foot.
Mr. Calkins participated in many stirring scenes of the Golden State. In 1853 he declined an appointment as deputy state commissioner of education and returned to the East. He was elected to the Legislature in 1867 and served the town in several offices, as selectman, overseer of the poor, and assessor for 10 years. He had also served on the school board and during President Cleveland's first term was appointed postmaster,
Mr. Calkins was a staunch democrat and was successful in many political contests. He was instrumental in persuading the Springfield street railway company to extend its trolley service to East Longmeadow and inaugurated many other public improvements.
In January 1844 [Correction: it was 9 Jun 1844] he married Miss Sarah Marie Waters [Correction: It was Sarah Maria Waters, sometimes Watrous] who died in 1894. They had one daughter, who died several years ago. In 1896 he married Miss Lena M. Day, who survives him. He leaves several nephews and nieces. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Washburn's chapel. Burial will be in Palmer.
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Springfield Republican 12 Apr. 1920
submitted by Ken, FAG user #46850449
He was born in Monson, son of Abel and Esther (Mixter) Calkins. His father was deputy sheriff of Hamden county for 20 years. Mr. Calkins was a farmer most of his life. In 1848 he came to East Longmeadow and later joined the famous band of gold seekers in California, making the trip by way of Panama, crossing the isthmus on foot.
Mr. Calkins participated in many stirring scenes of the Golden State. In 1853 he declined an appointment as deputy state commissioner of education and returned to the East. He was elected to the Legislature in 1867 and served the town in several offices, as selectman, overseer of the poor, and assessor for 10 years. He had also served on the school board and during President Cleveland's first term was appointed postmaster,
Mr. Calkins was a staunch democrat and was successful in many political contests. He was instrumental in persuading the Springfield street railway company to extend its trolley service to East Longmeadow and inaugurated many other public improvements.
In January 1844 [Correction: it was 9 Jun 1844] he married Miss Sarah Marie Waters [Correction: It was Sarah Maria Waters, sometimes Watrous] who died in 1894. They had one daughter, who died several years ago. In 1896 he married Miss Lena M. Day, who survives him. He leaves several nephews and nieces. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Washburn's chapel. Burial will be in Palmer.
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Springfield Republican 12 Apr. 1920
submitted by Ken, FAG user #46850449
East Longmeadow, Apr 11 - Abel Henry Calkins, 97, oldest citizen in the town and one of the few remaining pioneers of the famous California "gold rush" of 1849, died Saturday afternoon at his home on Calkins avenue after several months illness.
He was born in Monson, son of Abel and Esther (Mixter) Calkins. His father was deputy sheriff of Hamden county for 20 years. Mr. Calkins was a farmer most of his life. In 1848 he came to East Longmeadow and later joined the famous band of gold seekers in California, making the trip by way of Panama, crossing the isthmus on foot.
Mr. Calkins participated in many stirring scenes of the Golden State. In 1853 he declined an appointment as deputy state commissioner of education and returned to the East. He was elected to the Legislature in 1867 and served the town in several offices, as selectman, overseer of the poor, and assessor for 10 years. He had also served on the school board and during President Cleveland's first term was appointed postmaster,
Mr. Calkins was a staunch democrat and was successful in many political contests. He was instrumental in persuading the Springfield street railway company to extend its trolley service to East Longmeadow and inaugurated many other public improvements.
In January 1844 [Correction: it was 9 Jun 1844] he married Miss Sarah Marie Waters [Correction: It was Sarah Maria Waters, sometimes Watrous] who died in 1894. They had one daughter, who died several years ago. In 1896 he married Miss Lena M. Day, who survives him. He leaves several nephews and nieces. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Washburn's chapel. Burial will be in Palmer.
___________________________________________________
Springfield Republican 12 Apr. 1920
submitted by Ken, FAG user #46850449
He was born in Monson, son of Abel and Esther (Mixter) Calkins. His father was deputy sheriff of Hamden county for 20 years. Mr. Calkins was a farmer most of his life. In 1848 he came to East Longmeadow and later joined the famous band of gold seekers in California, making the trip by way of Panama, crossing the isthmus on foot.
Mr. Calkins participated in many stirring scenes of the Golden State. In 1853 he declined an appointment as deputy state commissioner of education and returned to the East. He was elected to the Legislature in 1867 and served the town in several offices, as selectman, overseer of the poor, and assessor for 10 years. He had also served on the school board and during President Cleveland's first term was appointed postmaster,
Mr. Calkins was a staunch democrat and was successful in many political contests. He was instrumental in persuading the Springfield street railway company to extend its trolley service to East Longmeadow and inaugurated many other public improvements.
In January 1844 [Correction: it was 9 Jun 1844] he married Miss Sarah Marie Waters [Correction: It was Sarah Maria Waters, sometimes Watrous] who died in 1894. They had one daughter, who died several years ago. In 1896 he married Miss Lena M. Day, who survives him. He leaves several nephews and nieces. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Washburn's chapel. Burial will be in Palmer.
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Springfield Republican 12 Apr. 1920
submitted by Ken, FAG user #46850449
