Calvin Britain

Calvin Britain (December 31, 1800 – January 18, 1862) was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of the U. S. state of Michigan.

Calvin Britain
8th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
In office 1852–1853
Governor	Robert McClelland
Preceded by	William M. Fenton
Succeeded by	Andrew Parsons
Member of the Michigan Senate from the 3rd district
In office November 2, 1835 – January 1, 1837
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Berrien County district
In office January 4, 1847 – January 2, 1848
In office January 7, 1850 – January 1, 1852
Personal details
Born	December 31, 1800 Jefferson County, New York US
Died	January 18, 1862 (aged 61) St. Joseph, Michigan, US
Resting place	Saint Joseph City Cemetery, St. Joseph, Michigan, US
Political party	Democratic
Parents	Gen. Calvin Britain
Profession	Landowner Speculator Politician

Biography

Britain was born in Jefferson County, New York. Britain came from New York to Michigan in 1827 and for a time was a teacher at the Carey Mission at Niles, Michigan.

Career

In 1829 Britain and Augustus Newell acquired the lands on which the business portion of St. Joseph was later built. Newell built the first hotel in 1831 known as the "Mansion House". The government surveyed the land in 1830, and Britain laid out the plat of the village in 1831 calling it Newburyport. Britain also built a warehouse and bought and sold real estate.[1] The name of the town was changed to St. Joseph in 1834.

As a Democrat, Britain was a member of the Legislative Council of Michigan Territory from 1832 to 1835, Michigan Senate from 1835 to 1837, Michigan House of Representatives from 1847 to 1851, and member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850. Due to changes to the Michigan Constitution adopted at that convention, he was elected to a one-year term as the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Michigan[2] with Governor Robert McClelland.

Death and legacy

Britain never married and resided in St. Joseph until his death there in 1862. He is interred at Saint Joseph City Cemetery, St. Joseph, Michigan.

Calvin Township in Cass County, Michigan, is named for him.[3]

References

1. Coolidge, Orville W. (1906). A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County Michigan, p. 172. The Lewis Publishing Company.
2. Coolidge, Judge Orville W. a twentieth century history of berrien county michigan. 1906 the University of Michigan. p. 172.
3. Rogers, Howard S. (1875). History of Cass County, from 1825 to 1875, p. 208. W.H. Mansfield.

External links

• olitical Graveyard
• Bingham, Stephen D. (2005) [1888]. "s.v. Calvin Britain". Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators. Pub. pursuant to act 59, 1887. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. p. 123. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
• Calvin Britain at Find a Grave