BENJAMIN C. CALKIN, of Rising Sun, one of the older of the native residents of Ohio County, was born in 1823 near Rising Sun. His parents were Elijah and Charlotte (Thompson) Calkin, the former a native of Litchfield, Conn., the latter of Dutchess County, N. Y.

His father remained in his native locality till grown to maturity, and then took up his residence in Dutchess County, where he married, and in 1819 with his family started West, coming by wagon to Pittsburgh, and then down the Ohio River, locating at Rising Sun.

He first settled on a section of land owned by the Browns, adjoining the town, and afterward purchased land in the neighborhood, where he followed agricultural pursuits all the remainder of his life, being an industrious farmer addicted to no bad habits.

He reared a family of nine children: Sidney (deceased), Emiline, widow of Henry Clore; Miss Lois; Zoda, widow of Daniel Thorn, Rising Sun; Caroline, widow of Thomas Garland, Madison, Ind.; David L., a thrifty farmer of Pope County, 111.; Benjamin C, Rising Sun; Mary Ann, deceased wife of Uriah Freeman, of Illinois, and Richard (deceased) formerly a farmer of Pope County, 111., his widow now a resident of Rising Sun.

The father of these died in 1867, in this county, the mother also passing away at the advanced age of eighty three years. Benjamin C. Calkin, whose name introduces this sketch, passed his earlier years on the farm with his parents, being constantly employed in farm labor till his seventeenth year.

He then began his flat-boating career, which ended only when his failing health and strength compelled him to retire from the business about 1873. He dealt in produce, shipping to the Southern markets, and in general met with fair success.

By careful attention to his business, by economy and a great deal of hard labor, he has been able to retire with a reasonable assurance of having a comfortable living during the remainder of his days.

Mr. Calkin was married, in 1853, to Miss Ann Ryle, daughter of Larkin Ryle, of Boone County, Ky., and they have no children. They are both members of the Universalist Church, and have the general esteem of their community

---

FOOTNOTES: Source: Book "History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana" Page 657.