Calvin F. Colwell

CALVIN FLETCHER COLWELL.

When a citizen of worth and character lias departed this life it is proper that those who survive him should keep in mind his life-work and hold up to the knowledge and emulation of the young his virtues and the characteristics which distinguished him and made him worthy of the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. We therefore are gratified in having the privilege of entering at this point a memoir of the representative citizen of Urbana whose name appears above. He lives in the memory and affection of his family and friends as a devoted husband, kind father and public-spirited citizen and as one whose life was one of singular beauty and nobility. He passed his entire life in Urbana and was always liberal in his contributions to aid the social, material and religious advancement of the city and county of his home, while his prominence in local business circles was through enterprises of marked importance.

Mr. Colwell was born in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, on the 26th of February. 1831. the son of Peter E. and Lavina (Fitch) Colwell, the former of whom was born in Xew Jersey, whence he came to Ohio and located in Urbana in 1815: while the latter accompanied her parents on their removal from her native state. Kentucky, to Urbana about the year 1806, so that in both the agnotic and material lines the subject of this memoir was identified with pioneer families of this favored section of the Buckeve state. He had such educational advent; as were afforded in the early schools of his native town, and then learned the trade of chairmaking under the direction of his father, who was here engaged in that line of enterprise for many years. Calvin E. worked at his trade up h > the time of his marriage, soon after which event he became interested in the manufacturing of flooring and in the cabinetmaking and furniture business, being first assi ciated with his brother, is CENTENNIAL the late Robert Colwell, and later having other partners, while the nature of the business underwent various changes, meeting the exigencies of trade and expanding in scope and importance. Finally was effected the organization of the Colwell Lumber Company, which conducted a flourishing business for a long term of years, our subject standing at the head of the enterprise, whose affairs were guided with that discrimination and ability which marked his entire business career, in its varied avenues of usefulness. He continued to be identified with this concern until within a few months prior to his death, while for a score of years he was president of the Citizens' National Bank, in which he was the chief stockholder and to> which he gave the benefit of his mature judgment and distinctive executive talent, doing much to give it its high reputation as a solid financial institution.

As has been before stated, Mr. Colwell was imbued with the deepest public spirit and was ever ready to lend his aid and influence in support of all legitimate measures advanced for the general good, and though he gave an unwavering support to the principles and policies of the Republican party, he never sought nor consented to accept the honors or emoluments of political office. His interest in the cause of Christianity was vital and unflagging and his faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was one of the charter members of Grace church, whose spiritual and temporal affairs received his devoted care and support until the close of his honorable and useful life. He held various official positions in the church, and a quarter of a century practically represents the period of his incumbency as class-leader of his church. He was a man of lofty ideals and spotless integrity, and in his death, on the 16th of June. 1900. the community in which he had passed his entire life was called upon to mourn the loss of one of its noblest and most valued citizens, while to those associated with him in the sacred ties of the home his memory will ever rest as a benediction that follows after prayer and bespeaks true spiritual exaltation.

On the 22d of November, 1855, was solemnized a marriage which united the life destinies of Mr. Colwell and Miss Malinda M. McComsey, who survives him and who remains in the home so allowed by the associations of the past. She was born near Median Ksburg, Champaign county. Ohio., the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Burnside) McComsey, who were early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Colwell became the parents of two children, — Elizabeth, who died at the age of six years; and Max F., who is the wife of Frank Ross, of Chicago, Illinois.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.