Rev. Sylvester Calkins, eldest son of E. E. Calkins, Esq., was born in Perrinton, Monroe county, New York, October 16, 1819. Emigrated with his parents to Lyon, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1832. United with the Methodist Episcopal church in South Lyon in 1844. He was the same year elected Sundayschool superintendent, which office he held until, in 1847, he was licensed to exhort, and was employed by the presiding elder to travel on the Farmington circuit. In 1848 he was licensed to preach, and employed as supply on the Ingham circuit. In 1849 he was received into the Michigan conference, and appointed to Milford circuit. This year he was married to Harriet A. Arms, daughter of Israel Arms, Esq, of Brighton. In 1850 he was appointed to Richmond circuit, Macomb county. In 1851 and 1852 he was appointed to Lapeer, in 1853 to Clarkston, in 1854 and 1855 to Flushing, in 1856 to Plymouth, in 1857 to Howell. . In 1 858 he was appointed presiding elder of Romeo district, which office he held until 1861. In 1861 and 1862 he was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Romeo, and in 1863 and 1864 was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in the city of Pontiac.

His health failing, he sought comparative retirement by an appointment to the church at South Lyon, the home of his youthful days. This church he served as pastor in 1865, 1866, and 1867, at which time he was granted a superannuated relation, but continued to preach as his health would permit or circumstances seemed to require. In 1869 he was elected justice of the peace, and in 1872 and 1873 he was elected township clerk. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster at South Lyon, which office he now holds.

The occupation of his choice, and in which he finds great delight, next to that of the ministry, is horticulture and floriculture, and in these his wife is even more enthusiastic than he, as their fruit-garden and greenhouse amply testify.