Source: The Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1900

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin, Tampico Area Historical Society, www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page: 211

Samuel McKean McCALMONT, L. L.B., of Morrison, is one of the ablest lawyers practicing at the Whteside County bar. A man of sound judgment, he manages his cases with masterly skill and tact, is a logical reasoner and has a ready command of English. A native of Whiteside county, he was born in Utsick township, December 30, 1867, and is the only child of John J. and Sara E. (McKEAN) McCALMONT. The father was a native of Centre county, Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent, being the son of William Scott and Margaret (LAIRD) McCALMONT. There he grew to manhood, but after his marriage, which was celebrated in Centre county, January 17, 1867, he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and purchased a tract of wild land in Ustick township, to th improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until called from this life September 27, 1869, at the early age of twenty-nine years. William S. McCALMONT, grandfater of our subject died in Centre county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1863, and his father, John McCALMONT, died about 1782. The wife of the latter was Jane ALLISON. John McCALMONT was a son of Thomas McCALMONT, who came to America from the north of Ireland. The family have all been strong members of the Presbyterian church. Our subject's maternal grandfather was Samuel McKEAN, a tanner and farmer of Center county, Pennsylvania, who was born September 21, 1809, and died September 7, 1867. He was married, November 28, 1837, to Elizabeth M. LOWRY, who was born November 26, 1814, and is still living. Her father, James M. LOWRY, was born June 19, 1792, and was married February 24, 1814, to Sarah LAIRD, who was born April 1, 1790. After the death of her first husband, the mother of our subject returned to Pennsylvania, and in Northumberland county, that state, she was again married, September 3, 1873, her second union being with J. S. MILLER, of Ustick township, Whiteside county, Illinois, now of Fulton. They have one child, Anna R. In religious faith the mother is also a Presbyterian.

The primary education of Samuel M. McCALMONT was obtained in the district schools of Ustick township and he later attended school at Morrison, coming a distance of five miles each morning. On the removal of the family to Fulton in December, 1886, he entered the high school at that place, from which he was graduated in 1888. The following year was spent at th Northern Illinois College, at Fulton, and in the fall of 1889 he entered the literary department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, but a year later became a student of the law department of the same institution, from which he was graduated with the degree of L. L. B., in 1892. In the fall of that year he opened an office in Fulton and engaged n practice there until March 1, 1895, when he came to Morrison and formed a partnership with F. D. RAMSAY. On the election of that gentleman to the office of circuit judge, Mr. McCALMONT succeeded to their large practice and is now one of the leading lawyers of the city. He is engaged in general practice and was one of the representatives of the people of Fulton in the Modern Woodmen case that was recetnly tried in this county. His powers as an advocate have been demonstrated by his success on many occasions. Thoroughness characterizes all business with a strict regard to a high standard of professional ethics. November 1, 1899, he formed a partnership with Luther R. RAMSAY, son of Judge RAMSAY, and the business is conducted under the firm name of McCALMONT & RAMSAY. Religiously Mr. McCALMONT is a Presbyterian.

On the 16th of November, 1898, Mr. McCALMONT married Miss Mary Alice TAYLOR, of Morrison, a daughter of Dr. Samuel TAYLOR, deceased.