Dr. Calkins was born near Mexico, Oswego County, New York, September 15, 1828. At the age of seventeen he began teaching in the country schools; later in the city of Oswego. He studied at the College of Medicine in Geneva, N.Y., finishing at the Medical University of New York City, and began his practice at Constantia, New York.

He married Miss Lucinda Loudon of North Bay, Oneida County, New York, on November 5, 1855. In the spring of 1856 he moved to Wyoming, Iowa.

Dr. Calkins resided and practiced medicine for nearly fifty years. In 1862 he mustered into the state militia a company of eighty-nine men who formed Company K of the 24^th Iowa Infantry and served during the civil war. When the town of Wyoming was incorporated the town unanimously chose him as Mayor. In 1881 he was nominated as the republican candidate to represent this country in the Lower House of the state legislature, the democrats made no nomination and the doctor was unanimously elected. Dr. Calkins owned farms in the area. He was a historical authority and wrote under the editorship of J. H. Ely for the History of Jones County in 1879.

Dr. Calkins died September 27, 1909, surrounded by his family: Mrs. M. H. Calkins, wife; Mrs. Elva Briggs and Mrs. Mary Chassell, daughters.