Calvin spent his youth in the region rendered famous by the adventures of Gen. Putnam with the Indians. In Putnam's Creek, Calvin was baptized by immersion when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.Calvin Believing that the West offered great opportunities to the young and able, he took his few household goods, and with his wife came by way of Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence onward to the almost unknown wilds of Michigan, reaching the state sometime in September, 1836. A short stay at Belle River convinced him that he did not wish to remain there, so he moved to Flushing, Genesee County. During these years Mr. Chillson farmed, he cleared and improved some acres, and had a good home well begun; but agricultural pursuits were not at all to his taste. Hearing of the great lumber region of Saginaw Valley, he traveled to Lower Saginaw in 1849 to check out the area. Liking what he saw, he returned, packed his goods and looked around for the best means of conveying the family to Saginaw. At this time a merchant named Clark occasionally sent various products to the valley. His way of doing this was to build a rude square boat, load it with produce, and taking advantage of high water to float the cumbersome thing down the Flint and Saginaw Rivers.

Here was the family's opportunity. With their household effects, they embarked in the early spring for their future home. The harrowing, long journey over, Calvin bought a house and some lots on what is now Water Street, Bay City. He found employment in one of the mills, a business more congenial to him than farming.

One of the first in helping to establish the first Methodist Church in Bay City, he for years acted in the capacity of class leader. A temperance advocate, he was as fully alive in temperance work as in religious affairs. Calvin was elected justice of the peace, and assisting Rev. P. O. Johnson, then missionary among the Indians, sought to enforce the law forbidding the selling of intoxicating drinks to them. He and the family were persecuted for their temperance beliefs and his attempts to enforce the temperance laws.

After the threats to his family, he sold his property within Bay City, and purchased forty acres on the West Side. He also bought a half section of land that he thought a major thoroughfare would cut through, which it later did. But tiring of farm life he again moved to town and bought a sash and blind factory. This he later sold. He was also involved in building the Sage-McGraw Sawmill in Bay City.

He built a home on Midlands St. The history of the home began in 1854 with the purchase of the 40 acres for $450. Construction began in 1861 but was disrupted by the Civil War. Although Calvin died in 1864, his wife, Betsey, completed the two-story section in 1865. Being a staunch anti-slavery family and members of the underground railroad, the Chillson home was often the refuge of the slave seeking liberty across the line. In all public enterprises. Calvin used his time, means and influence as far as he was able. Members of the Chillson family were devoted Christians, who readily shared their wealth and time in helping the unfortunate. To his family he had often remarked: "Bay City will some day be a large city. You will live to see it, but I shall not."

After his death, Mrs. Chillson subdivided the property. She is credited with the naming of Chilson, Cornelia, Carrie, Faxon, and Moore streets, all family names. When the plat was recorded for Chilson Street one of the l's was left off.