ALEXANDER McCALMONT, a prosperous and representative citizen of West Middletown, Washington county, is descended from one of the old pioneer families of his native State. John McCalmont, the father of subject, was born in 1780, in Cumberland county, Penn., on the farm of his father, who was also a native-born Pennsylvanian. John passed his early life on the home farm, receiving a common-school education, and afterward learning the trade of blacksmith, and when a young man was married to Mary, daughter of John Proudfit, of York county, Penn. In 1805 the young couple came to Washington county, first settling in Smith township, and afterward moving to Mt. Pleasant township, where a home was made. The following children were born to their union: James (who died in 1891), Nancy (who died in 1833), Polly (wife of John Henderson), David (deceased), Eliza (Mrs. Samuel Moore), John (residing in Mt. Pleasant township), Alexander (mentioned below), William (deceased) and Samuel. In politics the father was first a Whig, afterward a Republican, and was actively interested in the success of his party. In religious faith he was a member of the Presbyterian Church several years, and then united with the Seceders, finally joining with the United Presbyterians. He followed his trade in connection with farming all his life, and was an energetic and enterprising citizen. His first wife dying in 1840, he was afterward married to a Mrs. Moore, who bore him no children. He died in October, 1861, in Mt. Pleasant township. Alexander McCalmont (whose name opens these lines) was born March 28, 1821, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, where his boyhood was passed in attending the county schools. On February 28, 1849, he was married to Mary, daughter of Samuel Allison, a native of Beaver county, Penn., born August 26, 1829; she went when a child with her parents to West Virginia. After marriage the young people settled on the home place in Mt. Pleasant township, where they have since resided, and children have been born to them as follows: Mary (wife of Stewart White), John (married to a Miss Glass), Agnes (Mrs. B. Lindsey), Cora (wife of William Connor), Emma (married to James Manson), Samuel (married to Elizabeth McCarrell), James (married to a Miss Farrow), Ida (Mrs. William McBurney), Abraham L. (married to Ellen Kendricks, and living in Allegheny, Penn.), Lillie (wife of William Lane) and Maud (Mrs. E. McCabe). In 1888 Mr. McCalmont retired from active business life, and is now residing in West Middletown. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party has been an active worker in its ranks. In the spring of 1889 he was elected a member of the council of West Middletown, and was chosen president of same by his colleagues. He is a warm friend of education, and served zealously as school director. When but seventeen years of age Mr. McCalmont united with the United Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant township, this county, which he has served as trustee, and with which his family are also connected. Mr. McCalmont still retains his farm in Mt. Pleasant township. It consists of 266 acres, and is one of the finest properties of the kind in the county. He was at one time extensively engaged in the sheep industry, raising fine Spanish Merinos.

Text taken from page 1285 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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