BEN F. CALDWELL. The origin of the Caldwell family, of which our subject is a prominent descendant, can be traced back to the fourth generation in Ireland. Thomas Caldwell, the great-grandfather, was born in the North of Ireland of Scotch Irish parents. He married Miss Betsey Harris, a Welsh lady, and they decided to move to the New World where they would have a better opportunity of making for themselves and family a home. They landed at Charleston, S.C., about 1760, remained there a short time, and then removed to Virginia, locating in Nansemond County. There William Caldwell, the grandfather of our subject, was born December 15, 1779. When he was but a youth his parents removed to Jessamine County, Ky., where they subsequently died at the home of their son.

The Hon. William Caldwell was a man of more than ordinary ability; while living in Kentucky he held several important positions of public trust, serving the county as Sheriff and representing it several terms in the State Legislature. In Jessamine County, Ky., February 7, 1804, he was married to Nancy Robards, who was born in Goochland County, Va., September 24, 1782. To this union came six children - George L., John, Jane R., Elizabeth, Charles H. and William, Jr., all of whom are now dead. The Hon. William Caldwell removed to Carrollton, Greene County, Ill., in 1831, and near to Auburn, Sangamon County, in 1836. After sojourning in the latter place several years he removed to the town of Curran, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying there August 1, 1844. His widow survived until December 19, 1858.

When the Hon. Mr. Caldwell came to Curran he found no place for holding public worship near, and in order to afford temporary accommodations he constructed his residence in such a manner that it could be used for that purpose. It consisted of a large central room with three others opening into it. Plans were laid for the building of a church, but Mr. Caldwell did not live to see it built. On his death bed he requested that when built it be called Bethel, which was done. During the War of 1812 he was a Captain of a company from Jessamine County, Ky. He was a man of ardent public spirit and after becoming a resident of this county he served one term in the Legislature with credit.

John Caldwell, the second son of the Honorable William Caldwell and father of our subject, was born near Nicholasville, Jessamine County, Ky., January 21, 1807. About 1827 he removed to Carrollton, Greene County, Ill., and there on January 23, 1834, he was married to Mary Jane R. Davis. That lady was born in Boyle County, Ky., January 15, 1815. Her grandfather, Cyrus Davis, was born in Wales in 1726, and married Sally Harris. They emigrated to Boyle County, Ky., where both died, the husband February 21, 1811, and the wife some time previously. Their son, Robert Harris Davis, was born in Virginia about 1775 and on December 27, 1797, married Mary Lewis Robards, who was born in Goochland County, Va., about 1778. Mr. Davis died in Boyle County, Ky., September 16, 1818, and his widow passed away in the same county September 6, 1829. When their daughter, afterwards Mrs. Caldwell, was a young lady she went on horseback from Danville, Ky., to Tallahassee, Fla., returning by the same route and continuing on to Carrollton, Ill., a trip of 2,000 miles.

John Caldwell with his family came to this county in April, 1853, and located on a farm that had been purchased by his father some years before. It is nine miles southwest from Springfield and one and a half miles north of the village of Chatham, on section 36, in the town of Curran. The new occupant made further improvements and died there after a painful illness, August 1, 1863. The widow with her son, our subject, who was fifteen years old the day his father was buried, still reside on the farm. The children of John and Mary J. R. Caldwell were five in number and were named William C., Jane, Betsey, Henry C., and Ben F. The first-born is proprietor of the Loami Mills and also a farmer, his residence being in the village of Loami. All the others except our subject are deceased.

Ben F. Caldwell was born in Greene County, this State, August 2, 1848, and came with his parents to this county in 1853. He received a thoroughly practical education in the common schools and in the graded schools of Chatham, but was deprived of a higher education, as on the death of his father he was obliged to render assistance to his mother in the management of his father's estate. On reaching maturity, Mr. Caldwell became an active business man and by careful and judicious management of the two hundred acres left by his father added to the farm until he now owns one thousand acres, all adjoining and situated in the town, of Curran and Woodside. The estate is highly improved and is one of the finest among the many fine farms in the State. Near the original home, in 1876, Mr. Caldwell and his mother erected an elegant dwelling house. It is conceded to be one of the best farm houses in the State, and few residences even in the larger cities, are so well or conveniently constructed or so elegantly furnished. It is supplied with every modern convenience, lighted by gas, heated by steam, and supplied with water. Here with his family, Mr. Caldwell enjoys life, royally entertaining his friends when they call.

Mr. Caldwell gave the farm his personal attention until 1871, since which time he has rented the land. He was extensively engaged in stock raising and dealing, but upon renting his farm he gave his attention to mercantile business at Chatham, also dealing largely in unimproved Kansas and Missouri lands. Selling out his mercantile business, in which he has been successful, he in 1879 set about the organization of a bank in the village of Chatham for the accommodation of the residents of that vicinity. He was elected first President of the Bank of Chatham, which position he held until 1887, when it was changed to Ben F. Caldwell & Co., Bankers, which is still one of the prosperous institutions of the county. April 26, 1887, the Bank of Virden was sold by its proprietors, Walworth & Heaton, to Caldwell, Henderson & Co. The senior member of the latter firm was also active in the organization of the Farmers' National Bank of Springfield, being at the first election of officers made Vice-President. He held that office until 1885, when he was elected President, a position which he still holds.

May 27, 1873, Mr. Caldwell married Miss Julia F. Cloyd, daughter of Matthew Cloyd of this county. They made an extensive tour, visiting Niagara Falls, Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium and the smaller German states. From Berlin they went to the great World's Exposition at Vienna, subsequently visiting Italy and the Alps, and having the unexpected pleasure of an audience with Pope Pius IX. They visited Geneva and Paris on their return, arriving in Boston October 6, 1873. The union has been blest by the birth of two children - Mary Jane, born March 20, 1874, and John Harvey, born September 9, 1877. The daughter is now pursuing her education in St. Agatha's School in Springfield.

In the various social societies Mr. Caldwell is prominent. On attaining his majority he joined both the Odd Fellows and Masons. He is Past Master of Chatham Lodge No. 523, F. & A.M., at Chatham, and a member of Springfield Chapter, No. 1, R.A.M., Springfield Council, No. 2, R. & S.M., Elwood Commandery, No. 6, K.T., of Springfield and also fo the Scottish Rite bodies in the Valley of Chicago, having obtained the Thirty-second degree in oriental Consistory, Chicago. In Odd Fellowship, he was admitted to Sangamon Lodge, No. 6, and to Prairie State Encampment. He was demitted from Sangamon Lodge and was a charter member and the first Noble Grand in Woodside Lodge, No. 503, and is now a member of Springfield Lodge, No. 465. He is a charter member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks at Springfield and also belongs to the Sangamon Club, of Springfield, and to the Iroquois Club, of Chicago. He is also a member of Chatham Lodge, F.M.B.A.

Although a busy man, Mr. Caldwell is somewhat of a sportsman, an ardent admirer of both guns and rod. He has hunted throughout the West, from Arkansas to Wyoming, and the heads of antelope and deer in his residence attest his skill with the rifle.

Politically Mr. Caldwell is a Democrat and has been an earnest worker in that party. In 1877 he was appointed Supervisor to fill a vacancy and was elected to succeed himself. Although he was one of the youngest members of the Board, with no previous experience, he was elected Chairman, an honor seldom conferred under such circumstances. In 1882, he was nominated and elected to the Legislature, his colleague being the Hon. George W. Murray. In 1884 he was renominated by acclamation and elected with Charles A. Keyes. During the Thirty-third session he served on the Committees on Banks and Banking, Finance, and Roads and Bridges; in the Thirty0fourth session, he was Chairman of the Finance committee, as well as a member of others. During the Presidential campaign of 1888 he was a Chairman of the Sangamon County Democratic Central Committee. At the Democratic Senatorial Convention held in Springfield, April 15, 1890, he was nominated by acclamation for Senator from the Capital (Thirty-ninth) District, being the first man nominated for that position outside of the city of Springfield in twenty or twenty-five years. He was elected, receiving seven thousand, one hundred and six votes as against five thousand, three hundred and forty received by his Republican opponent.

The business career of Mr. Caldwell furnishes conclusive evidence that he possesses more than ordinary ability as a financier and manager of affairs. In his public capacity he has ever shown the same zeal with which he has carried to a successful issue his personal affairs, and it is confidently expected that in whatever place he may be found in the future he will take a prominent stand among his associates and wield a decided influence.