Whiteside County Biographies 1908
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Whiteside Biographies 1908 > Samuel McKean McCalmont


13 Mar 2006

Source: History of Whiteside County, Illinois; By: William W. Davis, M. A.; Vol. 1; Chicago: The pioneer Publishing Co.; 1908

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

Page: 593

SAMUEL McKEAN McCALMONT

Samuel McKean McCALMONT, one of the strong and able members of the Whiteside county bar, practicing as senior partner of the firm of McCALMONT & RAMSAY, at Morrison, was born in Ustick township, this county, December 30, 1867. His father, John J. McCALMONT, a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, died September 27, 1869, when about twenty-nine years of age, his son being then less than two years old. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and his great-grandfather, Thomas McCALMONT, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. John J. McCALMONT acquired a common school education and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He came to Illinois about 1865, settling on a track of land in Ustick township, Whiteside county, his remaining days being spent upon the farm which he there purchased and improved. He was an enterprising agriculturist and successful  in his undertakings, his well-directed labors bringing good results. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and in religious faith he was a Presbyterian. His sterling characteristics were those which constitute honorable manhood and business integrity. He married Sarah Elizabeth McKEAN, also a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish lineage. She is still living, at the age of sixty-six years and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (LOWRY) McKEAN, both of whom died in Pennsylvania. After losing her first husband, Mrs. McCALMONT became the wife of John MILLER, now of Fulton, Illinois, and unto them were born a daughter, Anna, the wife of Edward B. GARRETSON, a printer of Moline, Illinois.

Samuel McKean McCALMONT, the only son of the first marriage, was reared upon a farm to the age of nineteen years and attended the district schools, also continueing his studies in the schools of Morrison and of Fulton, Illinois, being graduated from the Fulton high school in the class of 1888. Later he spent one year as a student in the Northern Illinois College at Fulton, and then entered the literary department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the fall of 1889. At the beginning of the school year of 1890 he became a student in the law department of that institution and was graduated therefrom in 1892. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in June of the same year and at once began the practice of law at Fulton and continued there until March, 1895, when he removed to Morrison, where he entered into partnership with Judge Frank D. RAMSAY, under the firm style of RAMSAY & McCALMONT. This relation was maintained until the election of the senior partner to the bench of the circuit court in 1897, after which Mr. McCALMONT practiced alone until November, 1899, when Luther R. RAMSAY, a son of his former partner, joined him in the firm of McCALMONT & RAMSAY. This is recognized as one of the strong law firms of the county and this part of the state.

On the 16th of November, 1895, Mr. McCALMONT was married to Miss Mary Alice TAYLOR, a daughter of Dr. Samuel TAYLOR, long a practioner of this city. Mr. McCALMONT is an active factor in the public interests and welfare of Morrison. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, to the Mystic Workers and the Whiteside County Bar Association. In 1897-8 he served as city attorney, while from 1903 until 1905 he gave to the city a public-spirited and businesslike administration while filling the office of mayor. He is a most active worker in party ranks and has been chairman of the republican county committee. Deeply interested in the public schools, he is likewise president of the board of education of Mount Pleasant township. As a man and lawyer he occupies an enviable position in public regard and is recognized as one whose labors have been an element in the best interests and development of Morrison and his native county.

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