Transcribed by: Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 432

CHARLES M. CALDWELL is now living a retired life in the village of Auburn. He has resided in Sangamon county for the past forty_five years, but as a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in that state on the 30th of September, 1837. His parents were John Lewis and Myra (Morgan) Caldwell. His father was born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, in 1792, and was there reared, assisting in the work of the home farm until 1820, when he removed to Obion county, Tennessee, where he engaged in farming until 1824. In that year he became a resident of McCracken county, Kentucky, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits. In his family were eight children, of whom three are now living: Samuel B., born in Obion county, Tennessee, in October, 1824, and is now engaged in the real estate business in Paducah, Kentucky; H. R., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in Mississippi; and Charles M.

Charles M. Caldwell received very meager educational privileges and acquired his knowledge largely at home without assistance from others. In the school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons and through reading and observation has supplemented his learning. He was married on the 16th of April, 1871, in Chatham township, Sangamon county, to Miss Elizabeth Kent, of Macoupin county, Illinois, a daughter of Abner Kent, a farmer. Four children, all of whom are living, have graced this marriage: Mary E., born January 15, 1872; Amy, who was born July 26, 1874, and is the wife of H. F. Goodpastor, principal of the Pleasant Plains High School; Kitty, who was born February 11, 1876, and occupied a position as a teacher in the schools of Auburn for four years, but is now the wife of J. M. Stockdale; and Bertha, who was born August 23, 1878, and is at home. The mother of these children passed away during their early youth and Mr. Caldwell has since remained trued to her memory. For many years he carried on agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired and in his business career he met with a fair degree of success, so that he now possesses a competence sufficient to supply him with all the necessaries and many of the comforts of life. He is now serving as assessor of Auburn township and has acted in this capacity for six years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat active in the work of his party in the township and county. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to Ark and Anchor Lodge, No. 354, A.F.&A.M.; Auburn Chapter, No. 92, R.A.M; Socrates Lodge, No. 493, K.P.; Auburn Lodge, No. 543, I.O.O.F.; Bad Ax Tribe, No. 132, I.O.R.M.; Auburn Lodge, No. 49, A.O.U.W.; and Auburn Camp, No. 119, M.W.A. He has frequently been a delegate from these lodges to the grand lodges and he enjoys the warm regard of his brethren in the various fraternities with which he is connected.