Elder Samuel Calison was born in Grainger County,
Tennessee, in the year 1823. He died in October, 1898, and was buried in the
Calison and Hammer family graveyard, two miles west of Central Point Church,
Grainger County. He was pastor of Central Point, Blue Spring, Indian Ridge,
Little Valley, Blackwell's Branch, and other churches. He spent much of his time
holding meetings. He believed in and enjoyed "oldtime religion," and
was a preacher of that type. He was successful in revival meetings. He was an
associate, in revival meeting work, of Elder J. S. Greenlee, and it was given to
them to witness in their meetings hundreds of conversions and baptisms. His
labors were in Grainger and surrounding counties, and lie was a "great
power in the hands of God in building up the Baptist cause in that part of the
country. He was a man of deep piety and great earnestness. Many will bless him
in time and eternity for his influence upon their lives."
He was married to Miss Sarah
Gilmore, of his native county,
and to this union were born three daughters and one son. Two of his daughters,
Mrs. Lavena Biddle and Mrs. Roxena McSpadden, survive him.
