How Calhoun Came To Be
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From the book Calhoun is my Kingdom
The Formation of Calhoun County
Illinois
Calhoun was formed out of Pike county in 1825
The Southern part of Pike County was cut off, by an act of the Legislature of Illinois, and made into a separate county. The new County was named Calhoun in honor of John C. Calhoun one of the greatest of the southern statesmen at the time. The act of the legislature was approved on January 10, 1825. George A. Allen and Gershom Flagg were appointed to select a county seat for the new county.
On January 27, 1825 the two men mentioned above meet and selected Coles Grove as the county seat, but they recommended that the name of the village be changed to Gilead. The change was made and it has retained the name ever since.