CALVERT.--At the farm home two miles east of Gervais, at 6:45 p. m., Wednesday, September 6, 1893, of congestion of the lungs, John Calvert, aged 64 years, died.

The deceased was born near Manchester, Derbyshire, England, in August, 1829. In 1835 his father and his family concluded to come to America and settle in the state of Illinois for the purpose of engaging in the undertaking business. They left Liverpool and the voyage over being a rough one, ended in the steamer being wrecked and the passengers, including Mr. Calvert and family, were cast upon the island of Cuba. Here they remained three weeks, their only food being shells and parrots. Finally an American vessel came to their relief and took them to New Orleans. His father took the yellow fever two weeks later and was buried at Natchez-on-the-Hill in Louisiana. The family then continued their journey up to St. Louis and afterwards located in Illinois. After living there two years his mother and two brothers died.

Mr. Calvert, being the eldest of the family remaining, concluded to come to Oregon and reside and in 1851 the trip was begun, the conveyance being by ox team. This consumed six months. Arriving at Oregon City he was engaged to drive an ox team to convey Judge Skinner, the Indian agent, to Rogue river valley, in Southern Oregon. After a tedious trip himself and the judge ended their journey in November of the same year. Mr. Calvert continued to work for Judge Skinner on the reservation as teamster for some time.

In December, 1851, he went to Jackson county, and he and others discovered the first gold in that portion of Oregon, where Jacksonville now stands. He remained in the mines for two years and during that time suffered many hardships, nearly starving to death. One winter all he had to eat was beef soup the salt obtained for use costing $16 an ounce.

He returned to the valley afterwards and settled on a farm near Needy, Clackamas county. He married Miss Moreland, sister of Judge J. C. Moreland, now of Portland. To them was born a son, J. L. Calvert of Hubbard. His wife died three years later and was buried in the cemetery near Needy. Six years afterward he and Harriet Bell were united in matrimony and they settled on a farm on French prairie where they have since resided. The fruit of this union was nine girls and one boy--the latter now dead.

Mr. Calvert has been confined to his room since December last with heart trouble, suffering intensely during most of this time. He has served on many grand juries in the Marion county circuit court. He was a member of the Methodist church of Woodburn and also of the Masonic order.

The funeral will be held at the family residence near Gervais at 2 p. m. today the service being conducted by the pastors of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches at Woodburn. The remains will be laid to rest beside those of his son in Bellpassa cemetery.

Statesman Journal,[Salem, Oregon], September 8, 1893