Definition John Benton Callis (1828–1898) was an American politician, Union Army officer during the American Civil War, and a U.S. Representative from Alabama.
Overview Born in Gibson County, Tennessee, Callis moved to Wisconsin and later Minnesota, engaging in business pursuits such as lumber and real estate. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he joined the Union Army, serving with distinction and rising to the rank of brigadier general by brevet. Following the war, Callis relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where he became involved in Republican politics during the Reconstruction era. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving one term from 1868 to 1869. After his congressional service, he held various federal appointments before his death in Washington, D.C.
Etymology/Origin John Benton Callis was born on January 3, 1828, in Gibson County, Tennessee. His early life involved significant migration, moving to Lancaster, Wisconsin, in 1845, and subsequently to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1857. In Minnesota, he established himself in the lumber and real estate industries prior to the Civil War.
Characteristics
- Military Service: Callis enlisted in the 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment in September 1861 as a captain. He participated in numerous key battles and campaigns, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Petersburg. He was wounded three times during his service. By the end of the war, he had attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers for meritorious service.
- Political Career: After the Civil War, Callis moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and became active in the Republican Party. He served as register in bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court in Alabama. In 1868, he was elected as a Republican to represent Alabama's 5th congressional district in the Fortieth Congress. He served from July 21, 1868, to March 3, 1869, choosing not to seek renomination.
- Post-Congressional Service: Following his single term in Congress, Callis was appointed postmaster of Washington, D.C., by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1869, a position he resigned due to ill health. He spent some time in Minnesota before returning to Washington, D.C., where he resided until his death on February 25, 1898.
Related Topics
- American Civil War
- Reconstruction Era
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Republican Party (United States)
- 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
- Alabama politics