John C. Calhoun II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Caldwell Calhoun II
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Calhoun circa 1902
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John Caldwell Calhoun II
July 9, 1843 |
| Died | December 18, 1918 (aged 75) |
| Occupation | Planter, businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Lennie Adams |
| Children | 3 sons, 1 daughter |
| Parent(s) | Andrew Pickens Calhoun Margaret Green Calhoun |
| Relatives | Patrick Calhoun (brother) John C. Calhoun (paternal grandfather) |
John Caldwell Calhoun II (1843–1918) was an American businessman and a large landowner. He owned many farms, called plantations, in Chicot County, Arkansas. He also helped lead railroad companies. He was known for investing in and developing the "New South" after the American Civil War.
Early Life and Education
John Caldwell Calhoun II was born on July 9, 1843, in Demopolis, Alabama. His father, Andrew Pickens Calhoun, was a planter, meaning he owned and managed large farms. John had a brother named Patrick Calhoun. His grandfather was John C. Calhoun, who was a very important person in American history. He served as the Vice President of the United States from 1825 to 1832.
John grew up and went to school in Demopolis, Alabama. He later attended South Carolina College, graduating in 1863. During the American Civil War (1861–1865), he served in the Confederate States Army.
Building a Business Empire
After the war, in 1866, Calhoun started a business with James R. Powell. They helped formerly enslaved people, now called freedmen, move from the Southeast to new farms in Yazoo County, Mississippi. A year later, John decided to do this on his own. Over time, he helped more than 5,000 freedmen move to the Yazoo Valley in Mississippi.
By 1869, Calhoun moved to the Florence Plantation in Chicot County, Arkansas. This land was inherited by his wife. He bought several more plantations in Chicot County between 1881 and 1882. These included Harwood, Hebron, Luna, Fawnwood, Patria, Hyner's, and Latrobe. He also bought the Sunnyside Plantation for $90,000. His mother-in-law also gave him the Lakeport Plantation.
John created several companies to manage his land, such as the Calhoun Land Company. He worked with investors like J. Baxter Upham and Austin Corbin. However, he faced financial difficulties. By 1885, his brother helped him sell some of their land in Arkansas.
Later, Calhoun moved to New York City. There, he invested in building railways in the Southern United States. He became a director on the boards of several railroad companies. He also became the main owner of the Baltimore Coal Mining and Railway Company.
Family Life
John Caldwell Calhoun II married Linnie Adams on December 8, 1870. Their wedding took place in Marengo County, Alabama. Linnie was the daughter of Betsy Johnson. She was also the grandniece of Richard Mentor Johnson, who was another Vice President of the United States from 1837 to 1841. John and Linnie had three sons and one daughter.
Later Years and Death
John Caldwell Calhoun II passed away on December 18, 1918. He died at his home in Manhattan, New York City. He was buried at the Saint Philips Episcopal Church Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina.
