The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-11-12
A Remarkable Man.

The Hon. James Edward Calhoun, of
Abbeville County, is one Of the most re.
markable men in South Carolina. He
is considerably older than the Nineteenth
Century, and not only enjoys the most
perfect health but possesses, unimpaired,
an intellect of the highest order, having
mind as clear and memory as fresh
as that of man in the prime of life.
He has never in his long life used eye
glasses, and reads with ease by the light
of an ordinary kerosene lamp. AT home
his favorite exercise is to mount his horse
and ride over his immense estate. His
career has been no less remarkable thar
the wonderful preservation of his health.
Mr.. Calhoun is the youngest son Of
the distinguished lawyer, the Hon. John
z. Calhoun, who died in the prime of
his life in 1902, and while serving term
in the United States Senate. At the
death of his father Mr.. Calhoun came
into the possession of large fortune,
but his taste for adventure led him to
seek the seas and he entered the navy
in 1876. He was at that time the rich.
est man in the service. His distinguished
brother-in.law, John G. Calhoun, was at
that time just entering upon career
which gave him worldwide reputation.
The young midshipman added. to hand.
some person and most pleasing address
more than ordinary ability. He pos.
sessed especially great aptitude for Ian.
guages and during his travels acquired
familiarity with over sixteen tongues.
His chief object in enlisting in the navy
was to see the world and seek adventures,
and he lost no opportunity of throwing
himself into those positions in which he
could best accomplish these ends. His
wealth, position, influence and ability
enabled him to crafty his tastes. He
Joined many expeditions and visited
nearly every quarter of the globe. BE
was with the celebrated Long expedition,
which explored the great Northwest, at
that time an unknown wilderness, and
visited the spot where Chicago now
stands long before it had been thought If
as site fora city.
Mr.. Calhoun resigned from the navy
in 1888 and returned to his estates in
Abbeville County. These consisted of
several plantations situated on the Savan.
nah River at a point then known as
"Trotter's Shoals" For more than half
century he has led the life of hermit,
his time being devoted to the building up
of his estate, adding this year planta-
tion and the next year another until now
he is the owner of over $4,000 acres of
land on both sides of the Savannah
River and with water front of over
twenty-five miles. On his estates, it is
said, there is the finest water power in
the South. In addition to this splendid
homestead Of $4,000 acres Mr.. Calhoun
owns over 10000 acres of land in the
mountain sections of Pickens and Oco.
nee Counties.
While Mr.. Calhoun has lived alone he
has always taken q keen interest in pass.
ing events and public men and measures.
In his youth he was thrown with many
distinguished people, not only in this
country but abroad. His recollections of
such we'll known characters as Clay,
Webster, Randolph, Jackson and many
others, and his vivid and suggestive
manner of talking, make him one of the
most interesting conversationalists in the
State Charleston Neacs and Courier.