Early
Memories of
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company;
CALVIN
WHITNEY
Calvin Whitney, son of
Robert and Sarah Whitney, natives of New York, was for many years an
enterprising and successful fruit farmer in Saugatuck, living just outside the village
limits.
When but fourteen years
of age he started out to make his fortune; he worked at brick-laying until the
outbreak of the Civil War, when in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third
Michigan Cavalry, though he was only
seventeen years old; he served throughout the war, his regiment being discharged
at San Antonio, Texas, in February, 1865.
After this be went to
Coming to Saugatuck he
ran the Saugatuck House for several years and in 1874, was married to Miss
Johanna Burns, only daughter of John Burns, a native of
Mr.
Whitney besides farming interested himself in, several other business
enterprises, the Saugatuck Basket Factory —also in a
Mr. Whitney died in
August and Mrs. Whitney the following June; as they had no children, they left
bequests to F.& A. M. of which Mr. Whitney was a
member, to the Congregational church and society of which Mrs. Whitney was a charter
member and organist for many years, also $500 to the village for park purposes,
and $500 for beautifying the school grounds.
They were a most worthy couple.