Charles L. Calvert, of Green Ridge township, is one of the successful farmers and stockman of Pettis County, and is a descendant of a pioneer family of this State. Mr. Calvert was born in Cooper County, Missouri, October 21, 1853, a son of Elias and Kisiah (Hughes) Calvert, both natives of Tennessee, who with their parents were early settlers in Cooper County, Missouri. In 1860, Elias Calvert and family came to Pettis County, and settled on a farm at Elk Fork township. This was an unbroken section of the country at that early date, and Mr. Calvert broke the primitive prairie with ox teams and improved a farm in that township, and met with a reasonable degree of success in his undertakings. He was industrious, a good citizen, and a Christian man. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the Baptist Church of Green Ridge. He and his wife died of lagrippe in 1890, their deaths occurring within two days of each other. They were each seventy-four years of age. Elias and Kisiah (Hughes) Calvert were the parents of the following children: Mary, married Sam rains, and they reside at Twin Falls, Idaho; Ellen, married Matthew Rains, Kansas City, Missouri; James M., Craig, Missouri; Charles L. (the subject of this sketch); and Henry, Nevada, Missouri.

Charles L. Calvert was about seven years of age when he came to Pettis County with his parents. He was reared and educated in in this county and remained at home with his parents until 1882. He has always followed farming, and in 1882 purchased his present place, in Green Ridge township. He made many improvements, and now owns a well-cultivated, fine-appearing, and fertile farm of 130 acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and gives special attention to raising high-grade Duroc Jersey hogs. He is justly regarded as one of the successful and up-to-date agriculturists of Pettis County. He has set out a number of trees on his place which, together with the splendid farm buildings, give the place an imposing appearance.

Mr. Calvert was united in marriage February 10, 1881, with Miss Ella J. Weeden, a native of Maniteau County, Missouri, and a daughter of Caleb and Amanda (Wilkerson) Weeden, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois. They settled in Pettis county in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Calvert have been born seven children, as follow: LeRoy, resides in Green Ridge township; Oliver C., East Sedalia, Missouri; Nellie M., married L. Ream, Green Ridge, Missouri; Gertrude, married Forrest Helman; Marie, deceased; Forrest L., and Robert Carl, at home.

Mr. Calvert is a Democrat, and he takes commendable interest in public and political affairs, but has never sought office. He is a member of the Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodsman of America.

Source: McGruder, Mark A. History of Pettis County, Missouri (Topeka: Historical Publishing Company, 1919)