Calvin Rich served in the 4th Michigan Cavalry, enlisting in August 1862 at Imlay. His regiment was very active in battles throughout the war. He suffered from illness while in service and also fell from his horse once during battle, breaking his breastbone. Calvin was taken prisoner at Athens, Tenn. On December 2, 1863 – he escaped twice but was recaptured. He was held at both Libby and Andersonville Prisons. Calvin was discharged from the Army on June 8, 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio.
A family story tells of him returning home from the war, to his wife who had been told he was missing. Precilla Rich had bought a new house while her husband was away, where she lived with their daughter Julia. After mustering out, Calvin walked around southern Michigan asking for directions until he found their home – when Precilla opened the door to see him, she fainted. He caught her and carried her inside the house.
Calvin Rich worked as a farmer throughout his life. The Rich family moved to Shiawassee County after his return from the war; their son Otis was born in Hazleton. By 1880, they settled in Midland County, coming first to Geneva Township, then Edenville by 1883. In June of 1886, their son Otis married Mae Wooley, daughter of John and Emma (Gransden) Wooley. The Rich and Wooley families both farmed and the young couple settled near their parents in Edenville Township where Otis also worked as a farmer. Otis and Mae later moved to Coleman after his parents. Calvin and Precilla Rich moved to Coleman by 1900 and remained settled in that area except for a brief move in 1903when they sold their house in Coleman and moved to Three Rivers, St. Joseph County.
Calvin’s wife and son died before him. He lived to age 89, dying of heart disease in October of 1922. At the end of his life, he lived in Coleman with his daughter Julia and her second husband, Edward Matt, a lumber mill owner.
Riverside History 