- JAMES CALDWELL, a retired farmer and well-known citizen of
Janesville, Rock County, is an
- ex-soldier, having served bravely in defense of the Union
during the war of the Rebellion, when the courage of men was
tried to its utmost, and they proved, for all time, the metal
of which they were made.
- James CALDWLL was born in Janesville township, Rock County,
Oct. 4, 1848, a son of James
- and Eliza (ALFORD) CALDWELL, natives of Scotland and England,
respectively. The paternal grandfather of our subject died in
Scotland in middle life, after rearing a large family. The grandfather
on the maternal side was Thomas ALFORD, a native of England,
who died in that country; he had a family of fourteen children.
- The father of our subject, James CALDWELL, was a sailor during
his early manhood, came to
- America about 1842, and settled in Janesville, where he took
up land from the government, and later bought additional property,
until at one time he owned 366 acres, but afterward sold eighty
acres, and improved the remainder. This land was located in sections
3 and 9, and he resided upon it for many years, rearing his family.
When sixty-three years old Mr. CALDWELL went on a trip to England,
and died there, being buried in London. His widow, who accompanied
him on the trip, still survives, residing in Janesville. In religious
belief Mr. CALDWELL was a Presbyterian, while Mrs. CALDWELL is
an Episcopalian. Six children were born to this worthy couple,
five sons and one daughter, four of whom are now living; Thomas,
of West Concord, Minn.; James, our subject; Alexander, of Center
township, Rock County; and William, of the town of Porter, Rock
Co., Wisconsin.
- During his boyhood our subject worked upon his father's farm,
attending the district schools as
- opportunity offered. Although but a boy, even in the closing
days of the war, he felt it his duty to go to the front and risk
his life in the cause he loved so dearly, so in 1864 he enlisted
in Company A, 43d Wis. V.I., serving one year, participating
in the battle at Johnsonville, Tenn., and other minor engagements,
and at all times displaying courage and fortitude. After the
close of the war Mr. CALDWELL returned home, and began life for
himself, working a rented farm in Minnesota. However, it was
not long before this enterprising young man had sufficient money
saved to purchase a farm of 160 acres for himself, in Dodge County,
Minn., and here he remained several years, cultivating his property.
Later Mr. CALDWELL sold his farm, and purchased the interest
of the other heirs in the old homestead in Rock County, which
now contains 320 acres. Here he resided until 1896, when, retiring
from active work, he removed to Janesville, renting the farm,
and is now living in a beautiful home at No. 15 Forest Park boulevard.
In addition Mr. CALDWELL also owns 640 acres in South Dakota,
320 acres being near Waupton; 160 near Aberdeen; and 160 near
Ipswich.
- On Nov. 4, 1877, James CALDWELL married Miss Eleanor M. CHASE,
born Dec. 28, 1858,
- daughter of Samuel and Elvira M. (MAXSON) CHASE, and three
children were born of this union: Harriet M., Beatrice C. and
Laurien J. The great-grandfather of Mrs. CALDWELL was Lord Michael
PITT, of England. Her paternal grandfather, Calvin CHASE, a native
of England, died in New York State, where he served as captain
in the state militia. He had three children, Samuel, the father
of Mrs. CALDWELL, being one. It is a peculiar coincidence that
Calvin CHASE had three children, and that two of his sisters
had the same number, as did also his son Samuel, and the latter's
daughter, Mrs. CALDWELL, as well as his son, Frank L. CHASE.
The maternal grandfather of Mrs. CALDWELL, Laurien MAXSON, was
a native of New York State (although the family is of French
descent), and belonged to the New York state militia; he now
resides at St. Peter, Minn., in his eighty-fourth year. Five
children were born to himself and wife. Samuel CHASE, the father
of Mrs. CALDWELL, was a native of New York State, as was his
wife, and came to Wisconsin at an early date, locating in Walworth
County, where he resided for several years, pursuing his occupation
of farming. Later he removed to Winthrop, Minn., where he died
in 1896, aged sixty-four years, his widow still surviving, and
residing in Minneapolis with her son. Of the three children born
to this couple, Mrs. CALDWELL and Frank L. (of Minneapolis) are
the only survivors.
- Mr. and Mrs. CALDWELL attend the Episcopal Church of which
Mrs. CALDWELL is a
- member. Mr. CALDWELL belongs to W. H. Sargent Post, G.A.R.,
and politically is a Republican. Among a large circle of friends,
as well as in their immediate family, Mr. CALDWELL and his pleasant
wife enjoy a well deserved popularity for their many excellent
qualities, and are deservedly considered as representatives of
the substantial people of Janesville.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin"
(c) 1901, pp. 101-102.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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