Mini Biographies of Scots and Scots Descendants

(d. 1916) Born in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of a member of the Scottish Clan of Colquhon. They are of ancient lineage. One sect of the clan moved to Ulster where the name was spelled Calhoun. John Knox was his great-grandfather. His parents were Robert and Sarah (Knox) Calhoun. He enlisted in the Ohio Volunteer infantry at the age of 16 and when the Civil War ended, he moved to Illinois where he worked on a farm, taught school, studied law and became an attorney in Danville. He was elected to the legislature in 1882. Two years later he was elected State's Attorney for Vermilion County. In 1892, he was chosen general attorney for the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad. Having been acquainted with President McKinley in his youth he as active in bringing about his nomination is 1896. From 1907-13 he served as Minister to China.