John Callis

John Benton Callis was an American businessman and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Alabama's 5th congressional district during the Reconstruction era. A member of the Republican Party, Callis was elected to the 40th Congress, where he notably authored the first Ku Klux Klan Act. Prior to his political career, he had a distinguished military service as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. After his term in Congress, he returned to Wisconsin, where he continued his involvement in politics and business until his death in 1898.

Early life and career

John Benton Callis was born on January 3, 1828, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His early years were spent in a family that moved frequently in search of better opportunities. In 1834, when Callis was just six years old, his family relocated to Carroll County, Tennessee, where they lived until 1840. Seeking new prospects, they then moved westward to the Wisconsin Territory, settling near what is now Lancaster, Wisconsin. This region was still largely undeveloped at the time, and Callis attended local common schools, which were characterized by their rudimentary facilities and limited resources.

During his youth, Callis pursued an education in medicine under the guidance of Dr. J. H. Higgins in Lancaster. However, he ultimately decided against a career in medicine. In 1848, he ventured to Minnesota, where he worked on the construction of Fort Ripley. This experience marked the beginning of a series of endeavors that would take him across the country. In 1851, he joined the California gold rush, engaging in mining and running a mercantile business. After two years, he abandoned his pursuit of gold and returned to Wisconsin, traveling back through Central America. Upon his return to Lancaster, he resumed his mercantile activities, establishing himself in the local business community.

House tenure

Callis's military service began at the outbreak of the American Civil War. He played a pivotal role in organizing a volunteer company from the Lancaster area, known as the "Lancaster Union Guards." Initially elected as lieutenant, he was later commissioned as captain when the company was incorporated into the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. This regiment was mustered into federal service on September 2, 1861, and became part of a brigade under General Rufus King, which would gain renown as the "Iron Brigade."

The 7th Wisconsin Infantry participated in several significant battles, including the Battle of Gainesville in August 1862, where the brigade earned its reputation for stoic endurance. Following heavy casualties among the regiment's officers, Callis led his men through the Maryland campaign, which included the notable battles of South Mountain and Antietam. His leadership was recognized with a promotion to major on January 5, 1863.

Callis's most notable engagement came during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He was among the first to confront Confederate forces and sustained a serious chest wound during the fighting. He remained on the battlefield for three days before being rescued, and after a lengthy recovery, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as a military superintendent of the War Department in Washington, D.C. His military career culminated with a promotion to lieutenant colonel in February 1865, followed by a brevet promotion to brigadier general of volunteers.

After the Civil War, Callis was commissioned as a captain in the regular U.S. Army and assigned to the 45th U.S. Infantry Regiment. His duties included overseeing reconstruction efforts in Huntsville, Alabama. During this time, he intervened in a situation where a landowner was attempting to whip a young girl, an act of brutality reminiscent of slavery. Callis's decisive action in this instance resulted in him stabbing the landowner, an event that garnered him local recognition and a gold watch presented by citizens of Huntsville.

Callis resigned his military commission on February 4, 1868, but chose to remain in Alabama. Following the state's readmission to the Union, he was elected to the 40th U.S. Congress, representing Alabama's 5th congressional district. His term lasted from July 21, 1868, until March 3, 1869. During this brief period, he authored the first Ku Klux Klan Act, which aimed to address the violent activities of the Klan. Although the bill passed in the House of Representatives, it ultimately failed in the Senate, marking a significant moment in his legislative career.

Legislative focus and committees

Following his congressional tenure, Callis returned to Wisconsin, where he engaged in the real estate business. His political career continued when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1874, representing Grant County. This election occurred while he was affiliated with the Liberal Reform Party, a short-lived political group that sought to challenge the established Republican and Democratic parties. His time in the state assembly was limited to a single one-year term.

Throughout his life, Callis remained active in various business ventures and community affairs. He eventually retired from public life and passed away on September 24, 1898, in Lancaster, Wisconsin. His contributions to both military service and politics reflect a complex legacy shaped by the tumultuous events of his time. He was interred in Hillside Cemetery in Lancaster.

Callis's family background included his parents, Henry and Christina Callis, and he had two younger sisters. He married Martha "Mattie" Barnett from Brookville, Pennsylvania, and together they had five children. His legacy continued through his nephew, George Barnett, who became the 12th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1914 to 1920. John Benton Callis's life and career illustrate the multifaceted nature of American history during a period of significant change and upheaval.