1840 PA Census: Mercer Co. Delaware Twp. p. 229, line 22
Series M704, roll 474
William CALDWELL
Males: 3 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (30-40)
Females: 1 (5-10); 1 (20-30)
______________________
1850 IL Census: Knox Co. Township 9 N 4 E, p. 457b, lines 16-23
Series M432, roll 113, dwelling 2055, family 2128, 27 November 1850
Wm. CALWELL, age 43, Farmer, $2,000 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Samuel, age 16, Farmer, b. Penna., attends school
Wm. L., age 14, b. Penna., attends school
Jos., age 12, b. Penna., attends school
Lewis, age 10, b. Penna., attends school
Elizabeth, age 8, b. Penna., attends school
Amanda, age 6, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary E. FRYE, age 13, b. N.Y., attends school
______________________
1860 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 544, lines 23-28
Series M653, roll 179, dwelling 1355, family 1352, 19 July 1860
William CALDWELL, age 54, Merchant, $1,000 Real Estate / $3,000 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 35, b. Penna.
William, age 24, Clerk, $1,500 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Elizabeth, age 19, b. Penna., attends school
Ann, age 8, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary, age 5, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
1870 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 50a, lines 28-32
Series M593, roll 223, dwelling 145, family 145, 1 July 1870
William CALDWELL, age 63, Postmaster, $2,000 Real Estate / $200 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 44, Keeps House, b. Penna.
Anna, age 18, at home, b. Illinois
William, age 15, b. New York, attends school
Mary, age 15, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871, page 39
William Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, October 8th, 1806. His father, Samuel Caldwell, was a native of Ireland. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Donaldson, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Caldwell remained with his parents on a farm until he was eighteen years of age; then applied himself to the cabinet trade in Mercer, Pennsylvania, with Nesbit Ramsey. From there he went to Pittsburg; worked journey work for some time. Was married on the 14th day of February, 1830, to Sarah Lindsey, the daughter of Wm. Lindsey, and niece of Bishop Roberts, of the M.E. Church. Mrs. Caldwell was born on the 24th day of December, 1811. She died on the 29th day of September, 1849, in Knox county; Illinois.
Mr. Caldwell came to this state in 1836. Landed at Chicago, and in 1842 went with his family to Knox county, Illinois. In 1843 was elected justice of the peace in Knox county, and in 1848 re-elected; besides filling all of the various town offices. Was married to his path. Mr. Simms [sic] can truthfully be classed with the old school of southern gentlemen.
______________________
1880 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. ed 43, p. 19, lines 11-13
Series T9, roll 207, dwelling 216, family 226, 8 June 1880
William CALDWELL, age 73, married, Postmaster, b. Penna., father b. Ireland, mother b. Penna.
Rosanna, age 56, wife, married, Keeping House, b. Penna., parents b. Germany
Mary I., age 24, daughter, at home, b. Illinois, parents b. Penna.
______________________
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, pp. 804-805
WILLIAM CALDWELL. One by one the pioneers of Farmington and vicinity are passing away and their labors and struggles will soon be a matter of history. It is well to preserve in memory a brief account of the privations and difficulties under which they labored in laying the foundation of our material, civil and religious prosperity. For this purpose a few facts regarding the honored gentleman above named will be presented to our readers.
The subject of these brief paragraphs was of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandparents were John and Ann (King) Caldwell, both of pure Scotch blood. His grandparents were John and Isabel (Strain) Caldwell who emigrated to this country in 1792. They made their home in Carlisle, Pa., where Grandfather Caldwell died. In 1802 the surviving members of the family removed to Mercer County, where Samuel Caldwell, father of our subject, was married to Elizabeth Donaldson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. On the Caldwell estate, at what is now known as New Hamburg, October 8, 1806, William Caldwell opened his eyes to the light. His boyhood and youth were passed at his native place which he left in 1828 to learn the cabinet-maker's trade in Pittsburg. He remained in the Smoky City until called home by the death of his father in 1830.
January 14, of the same year, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Sarah Lindsey and established his home at Leeches Corners. In 1836 he came to Chicago, then in its infancy, but after sojourning there a twelvemonth returned to his former home. In 1841 he came to Farmington to settle the estate of Dr. Joseph Caldwell and the following year brought hither his family. He and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lindsey, built two flatboats, on one of which they erected a house for their family, and embarked on the Erie and Pittsburg Canal for the West. The water was very low, progress difficult, and they finally determined to sell their flatboats and complete their journey on a steamer. They sold their boats at Cincinnati, continued their journey in a steamboat to Kingston, then removed by wagon to the vicinity of Farmington.
Our subject spent the winter on Mr. White's farm and in the spring took up a half-section of Government land at Uniontown. There, September 1, 1849, his companion died, leaving him with six children to care for. Of these Joseph Rollins, now living in Stewart, Iowa, is the only survivor. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Caldwell took his son Samuel, then aged sixteen, and his two daughters aged eight and six years, to Pennsylvania, spending the winter at the old homestead. March 10, 1851, he was married to Miss Rosina McNold and immediately started by boat with his wife and two daughters, his son having been apprenticed to a printer at Mercer, for his home at Uniontown, Ill. In 1855 Mr. Caldwell removed to Farmington and embarked in the sale of general merchandise with H.N. Field, being afterward associated with a Mr. Day. In common with most business men of the time Mr. Caldwell suffered severely in the financial crash which immediately preceded the war of the Rebellion.
In the spring of 1860, in company with John Leeper, and his son Samuel, Mr. Caldwell made a trip to Pike's Peak, prospecting for gold, but returned in the autumn of the same year. For a time he bought grain for P.P. Chapman. In April, 1862, he was commissioned postmaster of Farmington, being the first Republican to hold office and under the first Republican President. He filled the position with honor and satisfaction to all for nearly a quarter of a century, when his successor was appointed by Grover Cleveland in 1885. Being at that time seventy-nine years of age Mr. Caldwell thought it wise to retire from business, and until his death, July 29, 1890, had no active occupation. When called from time to eternity he was eighty three years, nine months and twenty-one days old.
Mr. Caldwell was in hearty sympathy with all movements of progress and reform and bore his full share in developing the material resources of this country. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity and kindness of heart and purity of motive and has left behind him the record of a long and useful life. His parents were Presbyterians but he was for a number of years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1851 he, with the present Caldwell, united with the Congregational Church of Farmington, and in its fellowship was living when called hence. He had ten children, twenty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and also reared and educated William McCullough, commonly known as Will Caldwell, of Elmwood. Besides the son before mentioned two children survive--Annie Warden, now Mrs. T.L. Kennedy, of New Brighton, Pa. and Mary Isabella, wife of F.O. Dewey, of Farmington.
______________________
Canton, IL: Fulton County Ledger, issue of Thursday, 7 August 1890, p. 5, col. 4
William Caldwell died in Elmwood on Tuesday, July 29th ult., aged 84 years. Mr. Caldwell formerly lived in Farmington, and was postmaster of that town for 21 years. His remains were buried in Farmington on Tuesday. He was father-in-law of Fred O. Dewey.
______________________
Series M704, roll 474
William CALDWELL
Males: 3 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (30-40)
Females: 1 (5-10); 1 (20-30)
______________________
1850 IL Census: Knox Co. Township 9 N 4 E, p. 457b, lines 16-23
Series M432, roll 113, dwelling 2055, family 2128, 27 November 1850
Wm. CALWELL, age 43, Farmer, $2,000 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Samuel, age 16, Farmer, b. Penna., attends school
Wm. L., age 14, b. Penna., attends school
Jos., age 12, b. Penna., attends school
Lewis, age 10, b. Penna., attends school
Elizabeth, age 8, b. Penna., attends school
Amanda, age 6, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary E. FRYE, age 13, b. N.Y., attends school
______________________
1860 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 544, lines 23-28
Series M653, roll 179, dwelling 1355, family 1352, 19 July 1860
William CALDWELL, age 54, Merchant, $1,000 Real Estate / $3,000 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 35, b. Penna.
William, age 24, Clerk, $1,500 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Elizabeth, age 19, b. Penna., attends school
Ann, age 8, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary, age 5, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
1870 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 50a, lines 28-32
Series M593, roll 223, dwelling 145, family 145, 1 July 1870
William CALDWELL, age 63, Postmaster, $2,000 Real Estate / $200 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 44, Keeps House, b. Penna.
Anna, age 18, at home, b. Illinois
William, age 15, b. New York, attends school
Mary, age 15, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871, page 39
William Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, October 8th, 1806. His father, Samuel Caldwell, was a native of Ireland. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Donaldson, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Caldwell remained with his parents on a farm until he was eighteen years of age; then applied himself to the cabinet trade in Mercer, Pennsylvania, with Nesbit Ramsey. From there he went to Pittsburg; worked journey work for some time. Was married on the 14th day of February, 1830, to Sarah Lindsey, the daughter of Wm. Lindsey, and niece of Bishop Roberts, of the M.E. Church. Mrs. Caldwell was born on the 24th day of December, 1811. She died on the 29th day of September, 1849, in Knox county; Illinois.
Mr. Caldwell came to this state in 1836. Landed at Chicago, and in 1842 went with his family to Knox county, Illinois. In 1843 was elected justice of the peace in Knox county, and in 1848 re-elected; besides filling all of the various town offices. Was married to his path. Mr. Simms [sic] can truthfully be classed with the old school of southern gentlemen.
______________________
1880 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. ed 43, p. 19, lines 11-13
Series T9, roll 207, dwelling 216, family 226, 8 June 1880
William CALDWELL, age 73, married, Postmaster, b. Penna., father b. Ireland, mother b. Penna.
Rosanna, age 56, wife, married, Keeping House, b. Penna., parents b. Germany
Mary I., age 24, daughter, at home, b. Illinois, parents b. Penna.
______________________
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, pp. 804-805
WILLIAM CALDWELL. One by one the pioneers of Farmington and vicinity are passing away and their labors and struggles will soon be a matter of history. It is well to preserve in memory a brief account of the privations and difficulties under which they labored in laying the foundation of our material, civil and religious prosperity. For this purpose a few facts regarding the honored gentleman above named will be presented to our readers.
The subject of these brief paragraphs was of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandparents were John and Ann (King) Caldwell, both of pure Scotch blood. His grandparents were John and Isabel (Strain) Caldwell who emigrated to this country in 1792. They made their home in Carlisle, Pa., where Grandfather Caldwell died. In 1802 the surviving members of the family removed to Mercer County, where Samuel Caldwell, father of our subject, was married to Elizabeth Donaldson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. On the Caldwell estate, at what is now known as New Hamburg, October 8, 1806, William Caldwell opened his eyes to the light. His boyhood and youth were passed at his native place which he left in 1828 to learn the cabinet-maker's trade in Pittsburg. He remained in the Smoky City until called home by the death of his father in 1830.
January 14, of the same year, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Sarah Lindsey and established his home at Leeches Corners. In 1836 he came to Chicago, then in its infancy, but after sojourning there a twelvemonth returned to his former home. In 1841 he came to Farmington to settle the estate of Dr. Joseph Caldwell and the following year brought hither his family. He and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lindsey, built two flatboats, on one of which they erected a house for their family, and embarked on the Erie and Pittsburg Canal for the West. The water was very low, progress difficult, and they finally determined to sell their flatboats and complete their journey on a steamer. They sold their boats at Cincinnati, continued their journey in a steamboat to Kingston, then removed by wagon to the vicinity of Farmington.
Our subject spent the winter on Mr. White's farm and in the spring took up a half-section of Government land at Uniontown. There, September 1, 1849, his companion died, leaving him with six children to care for. Of these Joseph Rollins, now living in Stewart, Iowa, is the only survivor. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Caldwell took his son Samuel, then aged sixteen, and his two daughters aged eight and six years, to Pennsylvania, spending the winter at the old homestead. March 10, 1851, he was married to Miss Rosina McNold and immediately started by boat with his wife and two daughters, his son having been apprenticed to a printer at Mercer, for his home at Uniontown, Ill. In 1855 Mr. Caldwell removed to Farmington and embarked in the sale of general merchandise with H.N. Field, being afterward associated with a Mr. Day. In common with most business men of the time Mr. Caldwell suffered severely in the financial crash which immediately preceded the war of the Rebellion.
In the spring of 1860, in company with John Leeper, and his son Samuel, Mr. Caldwell made a trip to Pike's Peak, prospecting for gold, but returned in the autumn of the same year. For a time he bought grain for P.P. Chapman. In April, 1862, he was commissioned postmaster of Farmington, being the first Republican to hold office and under the first Republican President. He filled the position with honor and satisfaction to all for nearly a quarter of a century, when his successor was appointed by Grover Cleveland in 1885. Being at that time seventy-nine years of age Mr. Caldwell thought it wise to retire from business, and until his death, July 29, 1890, had no active occupation. When called from time to eternity he was eighty three years, nine months and twenty-one days old.
Mr. Caldwell was in hearty sympathy with all movements of progress and reform and bore his full share in developing the material resources of this country. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity and kindness of heart and purity of motive and has left behind him the record of a long and useful life. His parents were Presbyterians but he was for a number of years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1851 he, with the present Caldwell, united with the Congregational Church of Farmington, and in its fellowship was living when called hence. He had ten children, twenty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and also reared and educated William McCullough, commonly known as Will Caldwell, of Elmwood. Besides the son before mentioned two children survive--Annie Warden, now Mrs. T.L. Kennedy, of New Brighton, Pa. and Mary Isabella, wife of F.O. Dewey, of Farmington.
______________________
Canton, IL: Fulton County Ledger, issue of Thursday, 7 August 1890, p. 5, col. 4
William Caldwell died in Elmwood on Tuesday, July 29th ult., aged 84 years. Mr. Caldwell formerly lived in Farmington, and was postmaster of that town for 21 years. His remains were buried in Farmington on Tuesday. He was father-in-law of Fred O. Dewey.
______________________
1840 PA Census: Mercer Co. Delaware Twp. p. 229, line 22
Series M704, roll 474
William CALDWELL
Males: 3 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (30-40)
Females: 1 (5-10); 1 (20-30)
______________________
1850 IL Census: Knox Co. Township 9 N 4 E, p. 457b, lines 16-23
Series M432, roll 113, dwelling 2055, family 2128, 27 November 1850
Wm. CALWELL, age 43, Farmer, $2,000 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Samuel, age 16, Farmer, b. Penna., attends school
Wm. L., age 14, b. Penna., attends school
Jos., age 12, b. Penna., attends school
Lewis, age 10, b. Penna., attends school
Elizabeth, age 8, b. Penna., attends school
Amanda, age 6, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary E. FRYE, age 13, b. N.Y., attends school
______________________
1860 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 544, lines 23-28
Series M653, roll 179, dwelling 1355, family 1352, 19 July 1860
William CALDWELL, age 54, Merchant, $1,000 Real Estate / $3,000 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 35, b. Penna.
William, age 24, Clerk, $1,500 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Elizabeth, age 19, b. Penna., attends school
Ann, age 8, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary, age 5, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
1870 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 50a, lines 28-32
Series M593, roll 223, dwelling 145, family 145, 1 July 1870
William CALDWELL, age 63, Postmaster, $2,000 Real Estate / $200 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 44, Keeps House, b. Penna.
Anna, age 18, at home, b. Illinois
William, age 15, b. New York, attends school
Mary, age 15, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871, page 39
William Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, October 8th, 1806. His father, Samuel Caldwell, was a native of Ireland. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Donaldson, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Caldwell remained with his parents on a farm until he was eighteen years of age; then applied himself to the cabinet trade in Mercer, Pennsylvania, with Nesbit Ramsey. From there he went to Pittsburg; worked journey work for some time. Was married on the 14th day of February, 1830, to Sarah Lindsey, the daughter of Wm. Lindsey, and niece of Bishop Roberts, of the M.E. Church. Mrs. Caldwell was born on the 24th day of December, 1811. She died on the 29th day of September, 1849, in Knox county; Illinois.
Mr. Caldwell came to this state in 1836. Landed at Chicago, and in 1842 went with his family to Knox county, Illinois. In 1843 was elected justice of the peace in Knox county, and in 1848 re-elected; besides filling all of the various town offices. Was married to his path. Mr. Simms [sic] can truthfully be classed with the old school of southern gentlemen.
______________________
1880 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. ed 43, p. 19, lines 11-13
Series T9, roll 207, dwelling 216, family 226, 8 June 1880
William CALDWELL, age 73, married, Postmaster, b. Penna., father b. Ireland, mother b. Penna.
Rosanna, age 56, wife, married, Keeping House, b. Penna., parents b. Germany
Mary I., age 24, daughter, at home, b. Illinois, parents b. Penna.
______________________
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, pp. 804-805
WILLIAM CALDWELL. One by one the pioneers of Farmington and vicinity are passing away and their labors and struggles will soon be a matter of history. It is well to preserve in memory a brief account of the privations and difficulties under which they labored in laying the foundation of our material, civil and religious prosperity. For this purpose a few facts regarding the honored gentleman above named will be presented to our readers.
The subject of these brief paragraphs was of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandparents were John and Ann (King) Caldwell, both of pure Scotch blood. His grandparents were John and Isabel (Strain) Caldwell who emigrated to this country in 1792. They made their home in Carlisle, Pa., where Grandfather Caldwell died. In 1802 the surviving members of the family removed to Mercer County, where Samuel Caldwell, father of our subject, was married to Elizabeth Donaldson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. On the Caldwell estate, at what is now known as New Hamburg, October 8, 1806, William Caldwell opened his eyes to the light. His boyhood and youth were passed at his native place which he left in 1828 to learn the cabinet-maker's trade in Pittsburg. He remained in the Smoky City until called home by the death of his father in 1830.
January 14, of the same year, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Sarah Lindsey and established his home at Leeches Corners. In 1836 he came to Chicago, then in its infancy, but after sojourning there a twelvemonth returned to his former home. In 1841 he came to Farmington to settle the estate of Dr. Joseph Caldwell and the following year brought hither his family. He and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lindsey, built two flatboats, on one of which they erected a house for their family, and embarked on the Erie and Pittsburg Canal for the West. The water was very low, progress difficult, and they finally determined to sell their flatboats and complete their journey on a steamer. They sold their boats at Cincinnati, continued their journey in a steamboat to Kingston, then removed by wagon to the vicinity of Farmington.
Our subject spent the winter on Mr. White's farm and in the spring took up a half-section of Government land at Uniontown. There, September 1, 1849, his companion died, leaving him with six children to care for. Of these Joseph Rollins, now living in Stewart, Iowa, is the only survivor. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Caldwell took his son Samuel, then aged sixteen, and his two daughters aged eight and six years, to Pennsylvania, spending the winter at the old homestead. March 10, 1851, he was married to Miss Rosina McNold and immediately started by boat with his wife and two daughters, his son having been apprenticed to a printer at Mercer, for his home at Uniontown, Ill. In 1855 Mr. Caldwell removed to Farmington and embarked in the sale of general merchandise with H.N. Field, being afterward associated with a Mr. Day. In common with most business men of the time Mr. Caldwell suffered severely in the financial crash which immediately preceded the war of the Rebellion.
In the spring of 1860, in company with John Leeper, and his son Samuel, Mr. Caldwell made a trip to Pike's Peak, prospecting for gold, but returned in the autumn of the same year. For a time he bought grain for P.P. Chapman. In April, 1862, he was commissioned postmaster of Farmington, being the first Republican to hold office and under the first Republican President. He filled the position with honor and satisfaction to all for nearly a quarter of a century, when his successor was appointed by Grover Cleveland in 1885. Being at that time seventy-nine years of age Mr. Caldwell thought it wise to retire from business, and until his death, July 29, 1890, had no active occupation. When called from time to eternity he was eighty three years, nine months and twenty-one days old.
Mr. Caldwell was in hearty sympathy with all movements of progress and reform and bore his full share in developing the material resources of this country. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity and kindness of heart and purity of motive and has left behind him the record of a long and useful life. His parents were Presbyterians but he was for a number of years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1851 he, with the present Caldwell, united with the Congregational Church of Farmington, and in its fellowship was living when called hence. He had ten children, twenty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and also reared and educated William McCullough, commonly known as Will Caldwell, of Elmwood. Besides the son before mentioned two children survive--Annie Warden, now Mrs. T.L. Kennedy, of New Brighton, Pa. and Mary Isabella, wife of F.O. Dewey, of Farmington.
______________________
Canton, IL: Fulton County Ledger, issue of Thursday, 7 August 1890, p. 5, col. 4
William Caldwell died in Elmwood on Tuesday, July 29th ult., aged 84 years. Mr. Caldwell formerly lived in Farmington, and was postmaster of that town for 21 years. His remains were buried in Farmington on Tuesday. He was father-in-law of Fred O. Dewey.
______________________
Series M704, roll 474
William CALDWELL
Males: 3 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (30-40)
Females: 1 (5-10); 1 (20-30)
______________________
1850 IL Census: Knox Co. Township 9 N 4 E, p. 457b, lines 16-23
Series M432, roll 113, dwelling 2055, family 2128, 27 November 1850
Wm. CALWELL, age 43, Farmer, $2,000 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Samuel, age 16, Farmer, b. Penna., attends school
Wm. L., age 14, b. Penna., attends school
Jos., age 12, b. Penna., attends school
Lewis, age 10, b. Penna., attends school
Elizabeth, age 8, b. Penna., attends school
Amanda, age 6, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary E. FRYE, age 13, b. N.Y., attends school
______________________
1860 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 544, lines 23-28
Series M653, roll 179, dwelling 1355, family 1352, 19 July 1860
William CALDWELL, age 54, Merchant, $1,000 Real Estate / $3,000 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 35, b. Penna.
William, age 24, Clerk, $1,500 Real Estate, b. Penna.
Elizabeth, age 19, b. Penna., attends school
Ann, age 8, b. Illinois, attends school
Mary, age 5, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
1870 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. P.O. Farmington, p. 50a, lines 28-32
Series M593, roll 223, dwelling 145, family 145, 1 July 1870
William CALDWELL, age 63, Postmaster, $2,000 Real Estate / $200 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Rose, age 44, Keeps House, b. Penna.
Anna, age 18, at home, b. Illinois
William, age 15, b. New York, attends school
Mary, age 15, b. Illinois, attends school
______________________
Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871, page 39
William Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, October 8th, 1806. His father, Samuel Caldwell, was a native of Ireland. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Donaldson, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Caldwell remained with his parents on a farm until he was eighteen years of age; then applied himself to the cabinet trade in Mercer, Pennsylvania, with Nesbit Ramsey. From there he went to Pittsburg; worked journey work for some time. Was married on the 14th day of February, 1830, to Sarah Lindsey, the daughter of Wm. Lindsey, and niece of Bishop Roberts, of the M.E. Church. Mrs. Caldwell was born on the 24th day of December, 1811. She died on the 29th day of September, 1849, in Knox county; Illinois.
Mr. Caldwell came to this state in 1836. Landed at Chicago, and in 1842 went with his family to Knox county, Illinois. In 1843 was elected justice of the peace in Knox county, and in 1848 re-elected; besides filling all of the various town offices. Was married to his path. Mr. Simms [sic] can truthfully be classed with the old school of southern gentlemen.
______________________
1880 IL Census: Fulton Co. Farmington Twp. ed 43, p. 19, lines 11-13
Series T9, roll 207, dwelling 216, family 226, 8 June 1880
William CALDWELL, age 73, married, Postmaster, b. Penna., father b. Ireland, mother b. Penna.
Rosanna, age 56, wife, married, Keeping House, b. Penna., parents b. Germany
Mary I., age 24, daughter, at home, b. Illinois, parents b. Penna.
______________________
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, pp. 804-805
WILLIAM CALDWELL. One by one the pioneers of Farmington and vicinity are passing away and their labors and struggles will soon be a matter of history. It is well to preserve in memory a brief account of the privations and difficulties under which they labored in laying the foundation of our material, civil and religious prosperity. For this purpose a few facts regarding the honored gentleman above named will be presented to our readers.
The subject of these brief paragraphs was of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandparents were John and Ann (King) Caldwell, both of pure Scotch blood. His grandparents were John and Isabel (Strain) Caldwell who emigrated to this country in 1792. They made their home in Carlisle, Pa., where Grandfather Caldwell died. In 1802 the surviving members of the family removed to Mercer County, where Samuel Caldwell, father of our subject, was married to Elizabeth Donaldson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. On the Caldwell estate, at what is now known as New Hamburg, October 8, 1806, William Caldwell opened his eyes to the light. His boyhood and youth were passed at his native place which he left in 1828 to learn the cabinet-maker's trade in Pittsburg. He remained in the Smoky City until called home by the death of his father in 1830.
January 14, of the same year, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Sarah Lindsey and established his home at Leeches Corners. In 1836 he came to Chicago, then in its infancy, but after sojourning there a twelvemonth returned to his former home. In 1841 he came to Farmington to settle the estate of Dr. Joseph Caldwell and the following year brought hither his family. He and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lindsey, built two flatboats, on one of which they erected a house for their family, and embarked on the Erie and Pittsburg Canal for the West. The water was very low, progress difficult, and they finally determined to sell their flatboats and complete their journey on a steamer. They sold their boats at Cincinnati, continued their journey in a steamboat to Kingston, then removed by wagon to the vicinity of Farmington.
Our subject spent the winter on Mr. White's farm and in the spring took up a half-section of Government land at Uniontown. There, September 1, 1849, his companion died, leaving him with six children to care for. Of these Joseph Rollins, now living in Stewart, Iowa, is the only survivor. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Caldwell took his son Samuel, then aged sixteen, and his two daughters aged eight and six years, to Pennsylvania, spending the winter at the old homestead. March 10, 1851, he was married to Miss Rosina McNold and immediately started by boat with his wife and two daughters, his son having been apprenticed to a printer at Mercer, for his home at Uniontown, Ill. In 1855 Mr. Caldwell removed to Farmington and embarked in the sale of general merchandise with H.N. Field, being afterward associated with a Mr. Day. In common with most business men of the time Mr. Caldwell suffered severely in the financial crash which immediately preceded the war of the Rebellion.
In the spring of 1860, in company with John Leeper, and his son Samuel, Mr. Caldwell made a trip to Pike's Peak, prospecting for gold, but returned in the autumn of the same year. For a time he bought grain for P.P. Chapman. In April, 1862, he was commissioned postmaster of Farmington, being the first Republican to hold office and under the first Republican President. He filled the position with honor and satisfaction to all for nearly a quarter of a century, when his successor was appointed by Grover Cleveland in 1885. Being at that time seventy-nine years of age Mr. Caldwell thought it wise to retire from business, and until his death, July 29, 1890, had no active occupation. When called from time to eternity he was eighty three years, nine months and twenty-one days old.
Mr. Caldwell was in hearty sympathy with all movements of progress and reform and bore his full share in developing the material resources of this country. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity and kindness of heart and purity of motive and has left behind him the record of a long and useful life. His parents were Presbyterians but he was for a number of years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1851 he, with the present Caldwell, united with the Congregational Church of Farmington, and in its fellowship was living when called hence. He had ten children, twenty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and also reared and educated William McCullough, commonly known as Will Caldwell, of Elmwood. Besides the son before mentioned two children survive--Annie Warden, now Mrs. T.L. Kennedy, of New Brighton, Pa. and Mary Isabella, wife of F.O. Dewey, of Farmington.
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Canton, IL: Fulton County Ledger, issue of Thursday, 7 August 1890, p. 5, col. 4
William Caldwell died in Elmwood on Tuesday, July 29th ult., aged 84 years. Mr. Caldwell formerly lived in Farmington, and was postmaster of that town for 21 years. His remains were buried in Farmington on Tuesday. He was father-in-law of Fred O. Dewey.
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