294 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
CHAPTER XVI.
CALDWELL.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TOWN-THE SELECTION OF ITS SITE AS THE COUNTY SEAT IN 1854 - DONATiON BY SAMUEL CALDWELL - SURVEY OF THE TOWN PLAT - ADDITIONS -THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE COUNTY SEAT QUESTION DELAYS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TOWN-SALE OF LOTS IN 1857 - THE ERECTION OF THE COURT HOUSE-FIRST BUILD INGS ERECTED - THE FIRST STORES -FIRST SETTLERS - MERCANTILE AND INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS - LIST OF INHABITANTS IN 1862 - THE VILLAGE IN ITS EARLY YEARS- THE CONTRAST WHICH THE PRESENT OFFERS - IMPROVEMENTS - BUSINESS- THE NOBLE COUNTY BANK - CALDWELL BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION - THE CALDWELL WOOLEN FACTORY - FLOURING MILL - THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY-INCORPORATION AND VILLAGE OFFICERS - CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES-CALDWELL FAIR ASSOCIATION - PERSONAL SKETCHES.
As is recorded in a previous chapter, the town owes its origin entirely to the selection of its site as
the location of the county seat. After the vote on the question of relocation was taken in 1854, Samuel Caldwell gave bond to the county commissioners to donate for the use of the county a certain specified tract of land in the northeast quarter of section 3, Olive Township, said tract being twenty-eight rods in width by twenty-nine in length, and containing a trifle over five acres Although the tract was duly surveyed in the year 1854, the legal controversy that ensued regarding the location of the county seat, delayed the establishment of the town for three years. December 6, 1854, the county commissioners passed two orders in reference to this tract, the first authorizing Ezra McKee to cause it to be surveyed into streets and lots, about two and a half acres being reserved as a public square,
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and the second as follows : " Resolved, second, that the name of the town ordered to be surveyed be Calawell."
The name adopted was very appropriate, it being the name of the owner of the land on which the town was to be located, who was the son of the first settler in the neighborhood.
Caldwell is too young to possess a remarkable history. Founded in 1857, its growth was very slow until within recent years. In 1860 its population was probably not over 125 ; ten years later, the census gave it 318 inhabitants. During the next decade the increase was more rapid, the town having been reached by the railroad, in 1872, and the census of 1880 showed. that 602 persons were residents of the town. Since 1880 the population has nearly, if not quite, doubled.
The "town of Caldwell was surveyed and platted December 20 and 21, 1854, by George Bell, deputy county surveyor, for the proprietors, Samuel and Joseph Caldwell. The original plat consisted of forty-eight lots, and embraced eleven and one-half acres, including the public square. Numerous additions have since been made, as follows : Samuel Caldwell's first addition (lots 49 to 57), surveyed by George Bell, June 26, 1857; ditto, second addition (lots 57 to 83), surveyed by C. Burlingame, October 1, 1859; John W. Caldwell's first addition (lots 83 to 91), surveyed by Henry Miller, March 23, 1868; Joseph Caldwell's first addition (lots 91 and 92), surveyed by Henry Miller, September 24, 1868; ditto, second addition (lots 105 to 111), surveyed by Henry Miller, December 7, 1870; J. W. Caldwell's second addition (lots 93 to 100), surveyed by David Miller, March 8, 1871; Joseph Caldwell's third addition (lots 119 to 125), surveyed by Henry Miller, November 4, 1871; J. W. Caldwell's third addition (lots 111 to 119), surveyed by Henry Miller, October 30, 1871 ; ditto, fourth addition (lots 100, 101 and 102), surveyed by Henry Miller, November 9, 1871; ditto, fifth addition (lot 125), surveyed by Wm. A. Gittings, November 21, 1873; David McKee's addition (ten lots), surveyed by William , Lowe, September 18, 1873 ; Joseph Caldwell's fourth addition (lots 126 to 130), surveyed by David Miller, August 14, 1876; ditto, fifth addition (lots 130 and 131), surveyed by David Miller, July 6, 1877; J. W. Caldwell's sixth addition ( lot 132 ), surveyed by William Lowe, April 9, 1878 ; Joseph Caldwell's sixth addition (lots 133 to 143), surveyed by William LOWe, March 10, 1879 ; ditto, seventh addition ( lots 143 and 144), surveyed by William Lowe, April 4, 1870; ditto, eighth addition (lots 145 to 155), surveyed by William Lowe, May 15, 1879; ditto, ninth addition (lots 155 to 159), surveyed by William Lowe, January 9, 1880 ; David McKee's second addition (lots 11 to
296 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
15), surveyed by William Lowe, 1880; Joseph Caldwell's tenth addition (lot 159), surveyed by William Lowe, May 1, 1880; ditto, eleventh addition (lots 160 to 166), surveyed by William Lowe, March 29, 1881; ditto, twelfth addition (lot 170), surveyed. by William Lowe, April 6, 1882 ; ditto, thirteenth addition (lots 171, 172 and 173), surveyed by L. D. Merry, August 25, 1882; ditto, fourteenth addition (lots 174 to 181), surveyed by . L. D. Merry, September 7, 1882; William W. Collins' addition (lots 15 to 22), Surveyed by David Miller, November 15, 1882; J. W. Caldwell's seventh addition ( lots 181 to 236), surveyed by L. D. Merry, April 24, 25 and 26, 1883 ; Joseph Caldwell's fifteenth addition ( lots 237 to 263), surveyed by L. D. Merry, May 17, 1883; ditto, Sixteenth addition (lots 263 to 269), surveyed by L. D. Merry, December 7, 1883 ; ditto, seventeenth addition (lots 269 and 270), surveyed by L. D. Merry, July 23, 1885.
On the 24th of June, 1857, the county commissioners ordered that lots number 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, and 24, "as laid out and platted in the town of Caldwell, which said lots are now the property of said Noble County," be sold at public auction on the 4th of July, 1857. The lots were partly disposed of at the appointed time at prices ranging from $48 to $200.
July 21, 1857, the county commissioners entered into a contract with William J. Young and Dennis S. Gibbs for the erection of a court house by .those gentlemen the first building of any kind begun in the town. Work was begun soon after and the court house completed the following year. Meantime a temporary court house was erected by Ezra McKee-the building now occupied by Henry Schafer's tailoring establishment, on the west side of the square, on the lot across the alley from the county jail.
While the court house was building the contractors erected a board shanty, where the street now runs, which was occupied. as a boarding-house for their workmen. The brick from which the court house was built were principally made from clay dug from the ground on which the building stands.
One of the earliest buildings erected was the house now occupied by Peter Fogle. It was built by Randall Ross, and the second story was occupied by him as the office of the Consolidated Republican. Elijah. Stevens, the first merchant in the town, kept store under the printing office. Near the same time Fulton Caldwell opened a store known as the "MerchantS Exchange," on Cumberland street, a short distance south of the corner now occupied by C. Schafer's store.
In 1858 James and E. G. Dudley and D. S. Gibbs erected a block of stores-two-story frame buildings - which are yet standing on the south side of the square, east of the alley. and between :t and the Schafer
PICTURE OF CALDWELL IN 1887
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building. The building now occupied by R. P. Summers as a shoe store, was erected by David Young in 1858, and occupied by him as a saddler's shop.
The county offices were ordered moved to Caldwell early in the year 1858. The officers took up their quarters in rented rooms at different places, until the completion of the court house.
James Johnson, the first blacksmith in the town, built the house on the north side of the square, in which U. A. Mills & Brother now keep a grocery. His shop stood just back of where the Eagle Hotel now is.
J. N. Palmer, one of the first settlers of the town, erected the house now owned by George Rice. He afterward built the Mrs. Blain house, the Mrs. Waller house and part of the brick house at the northwest corner of the square, now owned by Henry Teener. The last named was the first brick building in the place, with the exception of the court house. It was erected about 1860, and was first occupied as a store by Hillyer, a clothing merchant, Hiram Dempster, dentist, having his office in the rear.
The present residence of Judge Dilley was erected in 1858-9 by Ezra McKee. About the same time the house now owned by Hon. J. M. Dalzell was built by Benjamin B. Waller, and soon' after occupied by John L. Shaw; Irvin Belford, William C. Okey, William IL Frazier and E. G. Dudley, lawyers, were among the first residents of the place. William Priestly, lawyer, came not long after ward and erected a house and an office on the west side of the square.
The first hotel, known as the " Eldorado," was a two story wooden building, which stood on the corner where the bank building now is. It was among the first houses built in the town. It was erected by A. R. Boice and kept by him for several years. Boice was an oddity —a very credulous, unsuspecting, unsophisticated mortal, who became the butt of many a practical joke perpetrated by the wags of the village. He went West, and is reported to have become extensively engaged in business there.
The second hotel was kept by J.W. Boggs in the George Rice building. He moved into the Eagle Hotel in 1860. The latter building was erected by William Smith. Boggs and afterward the firm of Boggs & Daniels continued the hotel business several years. The present Exchange Hotel was built by James and Wheeler Stevens, and occupied by them as a store. James Stevens sold out to Wheeler Stevens (now a prominent wholesale merchant in Zanesville) and he to Martin & Ijams. The latter were succeeded by Tipton & Glidden. The building was converted into a hotel by H. H. Moseley and has been kept successively by him, Thomas Lloyd, Ebenezer Smith, Thomas H. Young, and J. W. Robinson.
A hotel was opened about 1860 by Hamilton Wiley in the building. erected by the Dudleys. Wiley afterwards kept hotel in the Waller
298 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY OHIO.
building, opposite the Exchange Hotel.
Wheeler Stevens was in the mercantile business here until about 1863. Richard Graham started a store about 1862 in the building now Theodore Rempe's saloon.
Richard Bate was an early merchant. R. W. Stewart was the first shoemaker and Benjamin Headley the second. Chris. Shafer was one of the first residents, starting the first wagon-shop in town.
The first cabinet-maker was L. B. Gratigney, in the shop now occupied by Thomas Morris, wagon-maker. J. N. Palmer was the first tin-smith, and had his shop where J. F. Steen's store now is. The second tin-smith was Henry Palmer, on the corner where the photograph gallery now is. Jacob and Fred Rose kept a bakery and a beer saloon in 1860,
The first drug Store was started by Dr. Hull, on the north side of the square. He was succeeded in 1864 by F. G. Okey, who is still in the business.
As in most new towns, there were a large number of transient residents, and comparatively few of the early settlers remained more than a few years. C. Foster, ex-county treasurer, who came to the town to reside in August, 1862, gives the following list of heads of families then resident in the place :
William VanMeter, county treasurer.
David Young, saddler.
L. B. Gratigney, cabinet maker.
T. W. Morris, county recorder.
Samuel P. Evans, blacksmith.
Mrs. Atherton.
James Stevens, merchant (afterward clerk of courts).
Chris. Shafer, wagon-maker.
Christian Miller, teamster.
Jacob and Fred Rose, bakers and grocers.
John L. Shaw, editor of the Republican.
James W. Boggs, hotel keeper.
Joseph Miller.*
Abraham Stiers,* stone mason:
Richard Bate, merchant.
William V. Dye, clerk for Wheeler Stevens.
Moses Marsh, laborer (afterward merchant).
William McKitrick, sheriff.
Jabez Belford, attorney.
Willaim Priestley, attorney.
Charles J. Jenne, wagon-maker.
B. B. Waller.*
William C. Okey,* lawyer.
William H. Frazier, lawyer.
Wheeler Stevens, merchant.
A. R. Boice, hotel keeper.
J. N. Palmer.*
Richard Graham, merchant.
Samuel B. Pugh, carpenter.
Mrs. Fannie Scott.
David Seever's family.
John W. Tipton, county auditor.
Thomas Moore.
Benjamin Headley, shoe maker.
Abraham .Simmons.
C. Foster.
At that date all the houses were built around the public square, or within a block of it, except three or four. The village was small, muddy,
*Then a soldier, but his family resided here.
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isolated and ugly--far different from the neat and thrifty, pleasant and prosperous Caldwell of today.
In its early years Caldwell was an isolated and lonely village, and in the wet seasons was almost completely shut off from communication with the outside world. A hack, running three times a week between the town and Campbell's Station, on the Central Ohio Railroad (now the Baltimore & Ohio) furnished the only public means of travel between those points, twenty-two Miles apart, and also carried the mail. There was also a horseback mail carried tri-weekly between Caldwell and McConnelsville. At first Beverly and Lowell, on the Muskingum River, were the principal shipping points, and from those places also the merchants obtained their freight. Afterward nearly business of this sort was diverted to Campbell's Station. No town was ever more sadly in need of a railroad, and none ever welcomed a railroad project more eagerly than did the citizens of Caldwell at the beginning of the discussion about 1870. Since the advent of the first railroad train the population and business of the town have increased three-fold.
All the best business houses of the town as well as many of the finest residences have been erected within recent years. The Odd Fellows' building, three stories, frame, on the east side of the square was built in 1869 and dedicated July 4, 1870. C. Shafer's and Daniel Neuhart's brick blocks, each three stories, on the south side of the square, were erected in 1872. William Glidden's brick building; two Stories, was erected in 1881, and the three-story bank block in 1882.
The town is unusually well supplied with stores and shops of every kind. Its mercantile establishments, many of them, would be accounted first-class in a much larger place. Business is on the increase, and the town is prosperous.
December 29, 1871, the Noble County Bank was organized by a joint stock company with a capital stock of $40,000. The stockholders were Honorable W. H. Frazier, Thomas W. Ewart, Honorable William P. Cutler, General Rufus P. Dawes, Edgar P. Pierce and C. J. Lund ; W. H. Frazier, president, and E. P. Pierce, cashier. This bank did a successful business until March 18, 1873, when the Noble• County National Bank was organized through the efforts of W. H. Frazier, Edgar P. Pearce, and Thomas W. Ewart, with a capital of $60,000. The stockholders of the National Bank were W. H. Frazier, Jabez Belford, Jacob Cleary, John S. Craig, John Lem max, Samuel H. Phipps, George A. Smith, Thomas W. Ewart, Ezra McKee, R. P. Summers, Henry Miller, John W. Scott, Henry Large, William Wilkins, Nancy Craig, Samuel Lindsey, Cephas Lindsey, Martha Craig, Emma R. Gullet., J. R. McClintock, John L. Morgareidge, O. R. Morgareidge, William T. Meredith, Flora F. Lund, James M. Philpot, Stephenson Trimmer and W. W. Collins, The first board of
300 - HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
directors consisted of W. II. Frazier, John Lemmax, Henry Large, Ezra McKee and George A. Smith. W. H. Frazier was elected president ; E. P. Pierce, cashier, and Charles T. Lewis, assistant cashier. August 2, C. T. Lewis was chosen cashier, vice E. P. Pierce, deceased. Geo. A. Smith was appointed cashier in May, 1877, and in June, 1886, was succeeded by William A. Frazier, who had been assiStant cashier since February, 1884. The bank has been well managed and is one of the sound institutions of Noble County. The present officerS are William H. Frazier, president; William A. Frazier, cashier ; William E. Tipton, teller ; W. H. Frazier, John Lemmax, Henry Large, Chris, McKee, and James McClintock, directors.
The Caldwell Building and Loan Association was organized in March, 1885, and thus far has been successful and prosperous. The capital stock is $100,000 in shares of $100 each. The incorporators were W. H. Cooley, W. D. Guilbert, Stephen Milrs, O. T. Wilde, James A. McCoy, and Taylor Bivans. The first officers were W. H. Cooley, president ; O. T. Wilde, secretary, and W. D. Guilbert, treasurer; Stephen Mills, John Emmons, John W. Tipton, jr., T. C. Kane, A. C. Okey, and John M. Amos, directors.
The Caldwell woolen factory, the most important manufacturing establishment in Noble County, has been in successful operation since May 1, 1885, under the management of its present proprietors, Bush & McVay— W. H. Bush formerly of Beverly, and T. M. McVay of ( ,(1- w ell. They began building the factory in the fall of 1884. The main building is of brick, two stories high and fifty by one hundred feet, with an extension containing the dye house, twenty-five by fifty feet.
The cost of the building was $10,000. The lower - story contains the looms and the hosiery department, while the upper floor is devoted to the carding and spinning machinery. All kinds of woolen goods and hosiery are manufactured. One of the specialties has been a woolen skirt, which obtained an enviable reputation among the trade. The hosiery department has recently been added and is likely to prove .very successful. The factory gives employment to about seventy-five hands and manufactures about seventy-five thousand dollars' worth of goods yearly.
In January, 1887, extensive improvements were made, and about $15,000 in new machinery put in. Automatic spinners have been added, thereby increasing the capacity fully one-third, and no doubt will materially increase the force of hands. It is not only a great benefit to the town, but to the county as well, as a great deal of the wool used is purchased directly from Noble County farmers. W. II. Bush is the son of Joseph Bush, who was formerly engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at Renrock, in this county, for several years.
The flouring mill near the B. Z. & C. Railroad depot was built in 1873 by Whissen & Kemmer. In 1885 it
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was bought from G. W. Fogle by P. H, Barry, the present owner, who has remodeled it, and put in machinery for making roller-process flour. In 1886 L. H. Barry & Co. started a knitting factory, putting four knitting machineS into the mill.
During nearly all of the first decade of its existence the village was Without a school house. The first school, attended by scholars from the town, was taught in 1859 by Joseph Purkey in the " old red school house," a half mile west of Caldwell. For many years rooms were rented wherever they could be had in the village, and terms of school taught in them. The schoolrooms were changed so frequently that it has been truthfully said that the first schools in Caldwell were held "all over town." in May, 1866, S. B. Pugh was awarded a contract to erect a school house for the sum of $2,300, to be completed by December of the same year. The school house then erected served until the growth of the village had long since rendered its accommodations wholly inadequate. In 1880 the corporation, seeing that a new school building was a public necessity, issued bonds and set about the erection of the present school house. The contract was awarded to W. W. McCoy, of Marietta, in April, 1880, the stipulated price being $9,562. The building is of brick, two stories, large and imposing, first-class throughout. It occupies the most elevated site in the town, and speaks more eloquently than words can in favor of the inter est in education and the public spirit which secured to the town so excellent a temple of knowledge. The school is now under the able superintendency of E. E. Miller, who is also one of the school examiners of the county.
The mercantile and industrial establishments of the town were as follows in 1887 :
Bank : Noble County National Bank ; Wm. H. Frazier, president ; Will A. Frazier, cashier.
Bakers : William Wagner and M. Shafer.
Barbers : G. W. Singer & Son, Vv iii. E. Roach.
Blacksmiths : G. W. Hupp, W. L. Evans, John Kirk.
Boots and Shoes : Dr. R. P. Summers, Knouff & Young (J. F. Knouff and A. Young).
Cabinet-maker : L. H. McGinnis.
Clothing merchant : Otto Thalheimer.
Dentists : McCoy & Rowley.
Dressmakers : Gibson & Humphrey, Crawford & Danford.
Dry Goods : J. W. Tipton, J. F. Steen, John D. Elliott & Co.
Drugs: F. G. Okey, Wall.& Simons.
Express Agencies : American, Milton James ; Adams, C. Shafer.
Furniture : Peter Fogle, S. A. Lafferty.
Grist Mill : P. H. Barry.
Groceries : U. A. Mills & Bro., Thos. H. Young, George W. Young, Jerome Wehr, Clyde Weight, Peter Fogle.
Hardware : Glidden & Smith, Kain Bros.
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Harness and Saddlery : John Emmons, G. McGlashan.
Hotels : Exchange, J. W. Robinson; Eagle, D. L. Archer; Elk, James
Parker ; Eureka, S. P. Evans.
Insurance Agency : H. E. Peters.
Jewelers : E. J. Nay, J. W. Shafer.
Knitting Factories : Bush, McVay & Co., L. H. Barry & Co.
Livery Stable : Taylor Bivans.
Marble Workers : Billingslea & De Long, Thomas Stockwell (established at Olive, 1847).
Meat Markets : D. A. Lorenz, Henry Archer.
Millinery : Mrs. Mary James, Mrs. Abraham Young, A. Summers & Co:, Mrs. James McCoy.
Photographer : C. S. Curry.
Planing Mills : Stephen Mills & Son, T. H Morris.
Produce Dealer : C. S. Sargent.
Restaurants : F. E. Robinson, Polk
McKee, Ben. Gibson and M. Shafer.
Shoemakers : John Gary, John A. Nace.
Tailors : C. Shafer, Jr., Henry Shafer.
Wagon-maker : Henry Wilson.
Woolen Factory : Bush & McVay.
The town has also four newspapers, three churches, a good representation in the legal and medical professions, etc., all of which are mentioned more fully elsewhere.
The petition for the incorporation of Caldwell Village, dated November 12. 1869, is signed by sixty legal voters. We give their names as a matter of interest, showing who were the residents of the town twelve years after its origin :
J. M. Dalzell, W. H. Summers, R. S. Allbritain, S. P. Evans, F. M. McKee, David Gookins, Worthy McKee, Cyrus McGlashan, John Martin, C. Foster, D. A. Foster, J. M. Burlingame, John M. Amos, Weedon Headley, S. B. Pugh, A. G. Evans, A. H. Evans, W. P. Evans, W. H. Cooley, John W. Bell, Frank Shafer, John L. Young, W. Frank Wiley, W. H. Frazier, II. J. Hinkle, Ira Collins, D. C. Jones, P. Jackson, R. J. Singer, J. C. Bickford, G. W. Fogle, T. W. Morris, Joseph Stillwell, Adolphus Michael, J. W. Kraps, F. G. Okey, C. J. Jenne, N. W. Taylor, William Glidden, Hambleton Wiley, Thomas H. Morris, George Winders, R. Belford, Jabez Belford, Robert McKee, J. W. Caldwell, B. B. Waller, J. D. Wiley, L. H. Davis, George Allen, W. S. Archer, A. Simmons, John Wehr, Taylor Bivans, G, A. Way, W. B. Teters, James S. Foreman, D. S. Gibbs, E. H. Stillwell, Irvin Belford.
The town was incorporated by act of the county commissioners February 4, 1870, and has since had the following village officers :
1870.-Trustees, William II. Frazier, chairman ; C. Foster ; John M, Amos, clerk and treasurer.
1871.-Same officers, and Weedon Headley, marshal. William H. Summers was appointed trustee November 6, vice W. H. Frazier, resigned.
1872.—Trustees, Jabez Belford, president ; J. M. Amos, clerk ; and treasurer, C. J. Jenne ; marshal, J. M. Burlingame.
At an election held April 8, 1872, seventy-five votes were cast — sixty- one for and fourteen against making
CALDWELL.
Caldwell an incorporated village of the second class. May 20 an election was held for officers, resulting as follows:
1872.—Mayor, William Chambers ; clerk, George M. Yarnall; marshal, J. M. Burlingame ; council, C. J. Jenne, J. W. Caldwell, James Elder, W. L. Moseley, D. S. Spriggs, J. B. Perry.
1873.—Mayor, William Chambers; clerk, G. M. Yarnall; street commissioner, William N. Blain ; council, William L. Moseley, J. B. Perry, C. J, Jenne, J. W. Caldwell, W. H. Summers, R. S. Allbritain.
1874.—Mayor, William Chambers; clerk, J. W. Barnes; treasurer, Gilead Ogle; marshal, B. B. Waller; council, R, L. Allbritain, J: W. Caldwell, J. B. Perry, W. H. Summers, J. W. Weems, -- Young.
1875.—Mayor, William Chambers; clerk,, W. E. Tipton; marshal, Thomas Hartford; street commissioner, A. Summers; council, Grafton Corns, J. W. Weems, J. B. Perry, C. T. Lewis, C. Shafer, G. W. Fogle.
1876.—Mayor, William W. Ripley; clerk, W. E. Tipton; marshal and street commiSsioner, ThomaS -Hartford; council, G. W. Fogle, C. Shafer, C. T. Lewis, John Emmons, J. T. Whissen, J. W. Tipton.
1877. -Mayor, W. W. Ripley; clerk, M. C. Julien; street commissioner, Thomas Hartford ; council, J. W. Tipton, J. Emmons, J. T. Whissen, J. Dilley, C. Shafer, C. T. Lewis.
1878. —Mayor, W. W. Ripley; clerk, J. J. McAdams; treasurer, M. C. Julien; street commissioner .and marshal, John M. Hutcheson; council, 303
J. Dilley, J. W. Tipton, J. F. Knouff, C. Shafer, James Tarbert, C. T. Lewis.
1879. - Mayor,. W. W. Ripley; clerk, E. Perry; marshal, J. M. Hutcheson ; council, J. W. Tipton, J. F. Knouff, J. Tarbert, John Emmons, William R. Stewart, Irvin Belford.
1880. — Mayor, E. H. Archer; clerk, A. C. Okey; treasurer, M. C. Julien; street commissioner and marshal, J. W. Smith; council, J. W. Tipton, J. F. Knouff, J. Emmons, J. Tarbert, Irvin Belford, C. M. Watson.
1881.-Mayor, E. H. Archers; clerk, A. C. Okey ; street commissioner and marshal, J. W. Smith ; council, Knouff, J. Tarbert, J. W. Tipton, C. Foster, William Chambers, John Emmons.
1882.-- Mayor, E. H. Archer ; clerk, J. J. McAdams ; street commissioner and marshal, J. W. Smith ; treasurer, M. C. Juliea ; council, C. Foster, William Chambers, J. Emmons, J. F. Knouff, J. W. Tipton, J. Tarbert.
1883.— Mayor, E. H. Archer ; clerk, R. W. Summers ; council, C. Foster, J. F. Knouff, J. W. Tipton, William Chambers, J. Emmons, D. S. Gibbs.
1884. — Mayor, Milton James ; clerk, C. M. Watson ; treasurer, L. W. Glidden ; marshal, H. R. Mason ; street commissioner, John Hill ; council, C. Foster, William Chambers, J. Emmons, T. H. Young, J. H. Mills, Peter Fogle.
1885.- Mayor, Milton James ; clerk, C. M. Watson ; treasurer, T. H. Morris ; council, Peter Fogle, J. H. Mills, T. II. Young, W. D. Guilbert, G. W. Hupp, J. M. McGinnis.
1886.- Mayor, C. Foster; clerk, C. M. Watson ; treasurer, T. H. Morris ;
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marshal, F. C. Thompson ; street commissioner, David Dyer ; council, J. H. Mills, C. S. Sargeant, G. W. Hupp, W. D. Guilbert, J. Mason Morgan, J. M. McGinnis.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal Church.— The Methodist Episcopal Church in Caldwell is the oldest in the town.. A society was in existence at Olive as early as 1839, and probably earlier, and a small meeting-house was erected in that place, and paid for by Robert McKee. May 27, 1859, Samuel Caldwell made a proposition to donate to the society a lot for the church if the society would build one in Caldwell. The offer was accepted ; money was raised at once, and the church was built and dedicated during that year. Rev., I. C. Pershing, of the Pittsburgh conference, officiated at the dedication. At this time the prominent members of the church were John Still, Robert McKee, Dr. Jesse M. Stone, David Jennings, J. W. Tipton, Benjamin Headley, Harrison Keller and wife, Henry Keller and wife, and others. The society originally belonged to Sharon circuit, but in 1872 the circuit was divided and the Caldwell circuit formed. At present the charge consists of Caldwell and Sharon. Among the early preachers on this circuit were :Mordecai Bishop, James Henderson, Thomas Winstanley, , William Tipton, John Hollister, Gamble, D. W. Stevens, W. H. Morton, Joseph White and F. W. Verticon. The pastors at Caldwell have been Revs. D. C. Knowles, M. C. Grimes, E. P. Edmunds, W. A. Davidson, A. C, Ellis, Geo. M. Wilson and H, D. Stauffer, the present incumbent. The present membership is 225.
Presbyterian. —The First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell was organized on Saturday, July 27, 1868, by Rev. H. C. Foulke, of Cumberland, Guernsey County, Ohio, assisted by Rev. Samuel Mahaffey, of Washington, Ohio, and Elder Shaw of the Buffalo Church.
The original members were Alexander Boggs, Mary A. Boggs, William Miller, Sarah Miller, William Miller, Sr., John Barclay, Mary A. Foster, Cyrus McGlashan, Mary McAdams, Nancy Hull, Martha McKee, Mrs. E. H. Crusen, John Hull. The first officer was Cyrus McGlashan, who was chosen, elected and ordained ruling elder on day of organization. The church was built in 1872; dedicated July 13, 1873 ; is of brick, and cost $4,000. Rev. L. C. Rutter became the first pastor about January, 1871; Rev. William Galbreath, of Athens Presbytery was pastor from April, 1874, to 1876 ; Rev. A. J, Baldridge, of Zanesville Presbytery. was pastor from June, 1878, to 1880; Rev. T. J. Dague, present pastor, began his labors here in the fall of 1883. At present the church has one hundred and five members ; Sunday-school Scholars, one hundred and twenty-five.
A few facts in reference to the liquidation of the church debt will be of interest and serve to correct some very erroneous reports. The church, it is true, was in debt when dedicated, but by the strenuous efforts
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of Rev. L. C. Rutter and others the amount was reduced to $500; this sum rested upon the church for three or four years with only the interest being paid ; two years of unpaid interest made the debt $600. At this point four of the church trustees David Devolld, James Cain, Alexander Boggs, and William Miller) assumed the debt. By donations from the church members and friends of the church this sum was reduced probably one-third ; finally, in 1882, the trustees paid off the remainder and announced the same to the congregation. They deserved and received the hearty thanks of the church. The church is now in a flourishing condition. John McKee, one of the first settlers of this community, was a member of this church ; also his wife.
Baptist.—The Caldwell Baptist Church was organized by Rev. G. W. Churchill in 1861. The original members were : Levi Davis and wife, William Rammage and wife, John Winders and wife, Mrs. Blake, Warren Lippitt, and Mrs. Lewis Smoot. Warren Lippitt, was the first deacon. The church edifice was built in. 1861, at a cost of about $1,200. The pastors have been : Revs. G. W. Churchill, Milton Squibb, Charles Gunter, and A. K. McCall. The latter is now pastor. The membership is about forty.
SOCIETIES.
Odd Fellows.—Olive Lodge, No. 259, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted at Olive, December 4, 1854, by W. F. Curtis, D. D. G. M. The lodge was removed to Caldwell in 1861. The charter members were James Dudley, J. C. Schofield, W. F. McIntire, T. W. Morris, W. F. Reed and Miles Ogle. Two of these are still living —T. W. Morris and Miles Ogle. John C. Headley was the first member initiated. The first officers were Joseph C. Schofield, N. G.; James Dudley, V. G.; Wilson T. McIntire, secretary ; Thomas W. Morris, treasurer ; William C. Glines, C.; 'Daniel I. Chapman, W.; David McGarry, 0. G.; J. C. Headley, R. S. N. G.; Thomas L. Hammer, L. S. N. G.; Wesley Thorla, R. S. N. G.; John Graham, L. S. V. G. Whole number of members initiated since the organization, 215 ; present membership, 36; general fund invested, $3,000. The present officers are C. Shafer, N. G.; John Messelrode, V. G.; C. Foster, recording and permanent secretary ; C. J. Jenne, treasurer.
Masonic.— Noble Lodge, No. 459, F. and A. M., was instituted under a dispensation issued November 18, 1871, and chartered October 17, 1872. The , charter members were William H. Frazier, James S. Foreman, David S. Spriggs, William C. O'Key, C. Foster, David Gookins, S.
B. Pugh, C. J. Jenne, Robert McKee, R. L. Allbritain, W. W. Taylor, C. Shafer, Jasper McKee and John Graham. The first officers were W. H. Frazier, W. M.; J. S. Foreman, S. W.; David S. Spriggs, J. W.; W. C. Okey, S. D.; C. Foster, J. D.; CharleS J. Jenne, treasurer; R. L. Allbritain, secretary ; C. Shafer, tyler. The lodge is conveniently located in the Shafer building, and is
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in good condition. The preSent membership is sixty. Present officers : C. J. Jenne, W. M.; J. B. McGarry, S. W.; Otto Thalheimer, J. W.; Abraham Young, S. D.; D. M. McFerren, J. D.; C. Foster, secrementary; W. D. Guilbert, treasurer; D. Wiley, tyler.
Grand Army.— Noble Post, No. 491, Grand Army of the Republic, was mustered September 18, 1884, with forty-eight charter members, viz.: C. P. Simons, N. B. Wharton, John Harris, Ezra Tuttle, Richard Bond, W. A. Morris, H. E. Peters, Luther Wheeler, B. F. Lamley, Benjamin Dyer, C. F. Delong, W. C. Maring, A. E.. Brown, F. C. Thompson, J. R. Youngblue, A. W. Racey, Arch Wiley, W. S. Gibson, N. Cunningham, S. Mills, John Eicher, C. S. Sargeant,W. L. Evans,Leonard Craig, R. C. Downey, G: W. Rice, J. K. Marlow, J. W. Webber, H. M. Roach, B. B. Waller, J. M. Dalzell, A. C. McKee, Alden Wheeler, N. K. Moore, G. A. Way, A. W. Crawford, Peter Rucker, Charles Likes, J. N. Young- blue, W. H. Cooley, David Wheeler, G. W. Hupp, D. Wiley, D. M. Dates, John Gary, B. F. Smith, J. I. Shafer, Samuel Wheeler.
The Post chose the following for its first officers : F. C. Thompson, P. C.; D. A. Wheeler, S. V. C.; A. C. McKee, J. V. C.; H. E. Peters, Q. M.; G. A.Way, surgeon; J. N. Youngblue, chaplain ; C. S. Sargeant, O. D.; Arch. Wiley, O. G.; Peter Rucker, Q. M. S.; J. W. Smith, S. M.; A. C. Cooper, A. W. Racey, C. T. Blake, trustees ; J. M. Dalzell, historian. The present officers are the same,
with the following exceptions: Peter Yoho is the present surgeon ; J. W, Smith, adjutant. The present membership is 114. There have been two deaths (comrades Waller and Bates), and three transfers. The Post has distributed for the relief of poor comrades $131.91. The Post owns five shares of stock in the Caldwell Building and Loan Association.
Sons of Veterans. — James, A. Trimmer Camp, No. 53, Sons of Veterans, was mustered at Caldwell, July 29, 1885, with the following first officers and charter members: C. H. Archer, captain ; W. B. Waller, first lieutenant ; U. A. Mills, second lieutenant ; C. V. Rice, orderly sergeant ; Stephen Mills, Jr., quartermaster sergeant ; N. T. Morris, L. F. Smith, Joseph Powell, J. A. Wharton, A. W. Fogle, J. C. Clark, D. N. Walters, C. J. Kirk, F, L. Wiley, C. C. Crouse, O. T. Shafer and U. M. Mareing. The officers in the fall of 1886 were : J. G. Schofield, C.; Charles Smith, first lieutenant ; A. W. Fogle, second lieutenant; C. V. Rice, O. S.; S. Mills, Jr., Q. M. S.
CALDWELL DISTRICT FAIR.
Prior to 1884 the fairs held at Caldwell had been individual enterprises on a small scale. In May, 1883, a number of prominent citizens, among whom were Messrs. Fult. Caldwell, David Miller, J. L. Pugh, John W. Tipton, I. M. Combs, Chris. McKee, W. W. Collins and others, organized the Caldwell District Fair Association, which was incorporated in July of the same year. The following directors were elected : I. M. Combs, Fult. Caldwell, John W. Tipton,
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Junior, David Miller, W. W. Collins, Chris. McKee and William Long. David Miller was elected president, I. M. Combs, vice president, E. H. Archer, secretary, and G. A. Smith, treasurer. No change in officers has been made, except that C. Foster and W, D. Guilbert have succeeded Messrs. Archer and Smith as secretary and treasurer respectively.
The original capital stock was about $6,000, which has since been increased to $10,000. Three fairs have been held, all of which have exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the association. The first was held September 23, 24 and 25,1884. Grounds were purchased in July, 1883. They are situated a short distance west of Caldwell. There is a fine grove, commodious buildings and a half-mile track that cannot be excelled in this part of the State. The exhibitions have been first-class, many exhibitors coming from surrounding counties. The attendance has been large and the receipts were highly satisfactory. At the last fair nearly $4,000 in gate receipts were taken in three days, despite unfavorable weather. Through the earnest efforts of the managers the fair has become one of the most prosperous associations of its kind in southeastern Ohio.
Jonathan F. Knouff was born in Belmont County, Ohio, August 28, 1829. When ten years old he moved to what is now Noble County, his father, Henry Knouff (a native of Maryland), settling in Beaver Township, where he followed farming until his death. The subject of this notice received a common-school education, and when a young man engaged in teaching, which occupation he followed for twenty-two years. He was elected county auditor, and by re-elections served three terms. In 1878 he engaged in the hardware business in Caldwell, in which he continued until April, 1882, when he sold out to Kane Brothers & Wright. In February, 1883, he purchased the hardware store of Taylor Brothers, and carried on that business until February, 1886. Originally a free-. soiler in politics, he has acted with the Republican party since its organization. In 1858 he was married to Margaret E. Sproat, a native of Guernsey County. Their children are Angeline, Cora M. and Oliver M. Mr. Knouff is a member of the Odd Fellows' order.
A. P. Jennings, the senior proprietor of the Caldwell Press, was born in what is now Center Township, Noble County, February 17th, 1834, and when only two years of age removed with his parents to a farm about one and one-half miles north of the site of the present county seat. He received a common-school and academic education, and early devoted his attention to teaching, and to mercantile pursuits. In 1854, he was married to Sarah A. Archer, with whom he lived happily until her untimely death in 1867. In 1868, he was married to Mary A. Hellyer, who died in 1887. In 1861 he was a candidate for County Treasurer, and subsequently for State Senator on the Democratic ticket. Each time he was nominated against his wishes,
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and the party majority against him was too large to be overcome. In 1875 he was elected probate judge, being the only Democrat elected in the county in that campaign. He was not a candidate for renomination or re-election. He has three children living—David Alonzo, Bertha May, and Cora. Two —Mary Viola, and Rosetta — died after they had reached the years of womanhood. Mr. Jennings is at present not actively engaged in business.
Judge Jonathan Dilley is an old. and well-known citizen. He was born on the Potomac River in Virginia, about thirty miles from Washington, in the year 1809. His early life was spent in Shenandoah. County, Va. In 1.839 he came to Ohio, and in 1841 to Cumberland, Guernsey County, where he clerked in the store of John E. Boyd. In 1843 he removed to Sarahsville and engaged in the mercantile- business, at the same time dealing in tobacco. He continued a resident of Sarahsville for twenty-seven years. In 1869 he was elected probate judge, and in the following year he removed to Caldwell, and entered upon the duties of his office. In 1872 he was re-elected to the same office. He has since served two terms as deputy probate judge. He married Margaret Nicholson, and is the father of five children. Judge Dilly is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN W. TIPTON, the oldest merchant in Caldwell, and for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the county, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio. He was born December 28; 1825. His father was Rev. William Tipton, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family consisted of two sons and four daughters. The other son, Thomas W., studied law, and was admitted to the bar. After practicing his profession for a time in his native State he went to Nebraska before the war, and from there went into the army as a chaplain. On the formation of the State government he was elected one of the first United States Senators from Nebraska, and served with honor in that position for eight years.
John W. Tipton received a common-school education, and at the age of fifteen began earning his own living as a clerk in the store of Joseph Hare, at Fairview, Guernsey County. Here he remained about five years, acquiring in the meantime a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business and forming those habits in life which have since made him successful as a business man.
In 1854, prior to the founding of Caldwell, Mr. Tipton came to Noble County, and located at Olive, becoming the partner of John Wehr, in the mercantile business. This relation continued until 1858, when having been nominated and elected county auditor Mr. Tipton left the store to assume the duties of that position.. Subsequently he was twice elected to the same office. He was an able, efficient and popular officer. After the close of hiS third term as auditor he formed a partnership.with William W. Glidden, and kept a general store
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where the Exchange Hotel now is. Mr. Glidden retired after two years, and Mr. Tipton has since carried on business alone. In 1870 he built his present store, and removed his stock of goods to it. He has one of the best stores in the county, and does an extensive business. Two of his sons, J. W. and Charles F., assist him in the business.
During the war Mr. Tipton warmly espoused the Union cause, and Served as a member of the military committee of the county. He takes a deep interest in the affairs of his town and county, and is an honored and useful citizen. He is one of the leading members of the MethodiSt Episcopal Church. Mr. Tipton was married, in 1848, to Miss Elizabeth J. Richards, of Guernsey County. His children are William E., John W. Charles F., Frank M., Edgar R., Mary and Lizzie.
David Miller, one of the most prominent and enterprising business men of Caldwell, was born in Beaver Township, in 1845. His grandfather, William Miller, was one of the early settlers of this township, to which he came with his family, which consisted of his wife • and one child, William, Jr., in the spring of 1833. The elder William was of English birth, and came to this country in 1816. He first settled in Maryland, from whence he removed to this county. William, Jr., father of David, was a man of prominence ; he took an active part in the organization of the county, and was quite prominently identified with local politics. He married Miss Sarah, daughter of. John Perry, whose date of settlement in Beaver dates back to 1826. He reared a family of six children, Henry, David, Ann E., Oscar, Edgar and Ellen, all of whom are living. David was reared on the farm ; he obtained a good English education, and commenced life as a school teacher. He studied surveying, and for two terms occupied the office of county surveyor. .In 1880 he was elected sheriff. He filled the office acceptably to the people, and was re-elected, serving two terms. About this time he became quite extensively engaged in real estate and building. His operations were extensive, and it is said that during this time he did much to advance the interests of the village. He was prominent in the organization of the Caldwell District Fair Company. In fact, he was in some way connected with almost every enterprise having for its object the advancement of the village interests. He married, in 1866, Miss Mary E. Roach, of Beaver, to whom have been born three children —Clara, Berta and Walter.
George A. Smith, who for many years was one of the prominent business men and financiers of Caldwell, was born in Olive Township in 1835. His father, Shobul Smith, came from • Martha's Vineyard in 1817, and was one of the pioneers of the county. George A. was for a number of years a merchant in Dexter City. In 1873 he was elected county treasurer, and the year following came to Caldwell. In 1878 he became the cashier of the Noble County National Bank, which position he retained until ill-health obliged him to retire.
Chrysostom Foster, the present
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mayor of Caldwell, is among the oldest residents of the town, having come here in 1862. He was born in Washington, Pa , Jan. 2, 1840. When five years old his parents came to Wheeling and in 1853 to Belmont County, Ohio. In 1859 the family removed to Batesville. The elder Foster was a shoemaker ; he died at Quaker City in 1858, leaving five children : Charlotte, Hannah, Chrysostom, Mary M., and D. A. The latter went into the service in 1861, in the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. He died in 1874 from disease caused by a wound received from the bursting of a torpedo at Fort McAllister in 1864.
After coming to Caldwell, Mr. Foster was for a time the clerk in the office of the county treasurer ; in 1865 he was elected county treasurer and by re-election held the office until 1,870. Since that time he has been in the mercantile and livery business in Caldwell. He is a prominent Republican. In 1861 he married Cynthia J., daughter of Abraham Simmons, at that time one of the leading citizens of Noble County. Five children have been born of this union, three boys and two girls.
W. D. Guilbert, the present county auditor, was born in Guernsey County in 1844. His father, H. E. Guilbert, was a farmer and removed to the western part of the State about 1846. The subject of this notice re ceived an academic education, and in 1869 came to South Olive, where he was engaged in salt making and the manufacture of staves until his election to the office of county auditor in 1881. He was re-elected in 1884, and is still discharging the duties of his office. Mr. Guilbert is a Republican, and takes an active interest in political matters.
Timothy Cleveland was born in Maine and settled in Beaver Township in 1819. He married Miss Sarah W. Pierce, who was a native of the same State. They had a family 'of Seven children, three of whom, Mary T. (Gale), Frank G., and Thaddeus S., are living. The latter was born in Somerset County, Me., August 31, 1818. He has been twice married. His first wife was a Pennsylvania lady; his second wife was Miss Mary, daughter of William Dement, a Virginian, who was one of the pioneers of Wills Creek, Monroe County, where he settled in 1806. He was prominent in the early affairs of that region, and carried the first mails from Wheeling, West Va., to Cincinnati, Ohio, in a. canoe. He was possessed of a good education, and for years was a prominent magistrate and an influential citizen. By the last marriage there were th children : Wellington, Benjamin and Henry J. The latter was born in Calais, Ohio, in 1853. He came to Noble County in 1880, settling in Elk. In 1885 he was elected sheriff, which position he now (1887) holds. He married Miss Emma A., daughter of Thomas Foster, of Summerfield.
Benjamin B. Waller was born in Guernsey County in 1823, and came to Noble County in 1858. He was a carpenter by trade, but after
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his removal to Noble he became indentified with political matters, and held several official positions. For many years he was postmaster of the village, receiving his first appointment in 1863; reappointed in 1870, and held the office until September, 1885. From 1872 to 1878 he was deputy sheriff. In 1863 he was commissioned county recorder; was reelected and commissioned in 1866. In August of 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteers; was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, and discharged for disability February 5, 1863. HiS death occurred March 22, 1886. Mr. Waller was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Stuart, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio. He was a valuable citizen and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Olive Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Noble Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
W. H. Bush was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1848. In the spring of 1853 the family came to Noble County and settled in Renrock, where the elder Bush built a woolen mill, which he operated until 1865, when he removed to McConnelsville. In 1875 W. H. assumed control of the McConnell mill at McConnelsville, which he operated very successfully until 1880, when be purchased the Island mill at Beverly, Ohio. In 1886, to obtain increased facilities and better power, he removed to Caldwell, and in company with P. M. McVay,. established the Caldwell woolen mills. Mr. Bush is the pioneer woolen manufacturer in this sec tion, and having been reared to the business, no one is more conversant with its details than he. He married Miss Ella Carroll in 1873. They have two children, Lester and Media.
BIOGRAPHIC.
THE CALDWELL FAMILY.
The name of Caldwell has been conspicuous in the annals of Duck Creek Valley from the earliest history of that region, to the present day. The progenitor of the Noble County Caldwells was Robert Caldwell, a native of Chester County, Pa. He was a man of much natural ability and of great force of character, these traits being inherited from his Scotch-Irish ancestors. He served as a teamster in the Revolutionary War, married and settled in Pennsylvania, and in 1795 emigrated to the Northwest Territory, settling in Washington County, Ohio, where were then the chief settlements in the territory. He explored this section of the county, and by the advice of General Putnam, made a selection of the land on which he afterward located. In the year 1808 he came up the west fork of Duck Creek with his sons and began an improvement on the present Caldwell farm. He was, therefore, among the earliest pioneers of the valley, and the first to make a clearing. where the town of Caldwell now stands. Robert Caldwell died in 1831. His wife's maiden name was Jane Fulton, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and a niece of Robert Fulton, the pioneer steam navigator. Their children (several of whom were born
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in Pennsylvania), were Robert, John, Joseph, Samuel, Hiram, Jane, Polly, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Matilda and Nancy. The sons are all dead except Joseph. They were all prominent farmers, and resided in Noble County. Of the daughters, Jane married Rodney Severance, and died in Morgan County. Polly married James Logan, remained in Pennsylvania, and died there. Elizabeth, the widow of David Archibald, is still living in Noble County. Rebecca (deceased) was the wife of John Noble. Matilda, the wife of John Brownrigg, is still living in Noble County. Nancy became the wife of Samuel Price, and died in Morgan County.
Joseph Caldwell, the oldest living resident of the county, was born in Cay wood, Washington County, Ohio, in the year 1798, and came to what is now Noble County in 1809. He has witnessed the transition of a wilderness to one of the fertile and productive regions of this section of the State, and in his person typifies many of the causes which have produced this great change. Beneath his observation, like a grand panorama, the forests have disappeared and fertile fields have taken their place. Villages and hamlets have sprung up as if by magic. The iron horse rushes over the same route that he traveled when a boy by blazed trees through an almost impenetrable forest. To-day he lives in the full possession of his mental faculties, one of the last survivors of a race the like of which will never be seen again.
His youth and early manhood were passed upon his father's farm, where he shared the privations of a pioneer family. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Margaret, daughter of David McKee, whose personal history will be found in the chapter devoted to Noble Township. Shortly after their marriage the young couple commenced life upon the farm where he now resides, which is a part of the tract entered by his father in 1808, and which at the time was unimproved with the exception of a small field where is now the Cald well school-building. Like his brother Samuel, he identified himSelf with nearly all the initial events in the history of this section of the county. He was ope of the pioneer salt-makers of the Duck Creek Valley, and was one of the parties who sank the second well bored in the. valley ; in this well petroleum was discovered, and it can be said to have been the first oil well in the United States. The life of Joseph Caldwell has been comparatively uneventful. His experiences have not been unlike those of most of the pioneer farmers of his time. With .him the desideratum has been the welfare of his family and the acquisition of that priceless legacy, an unsullied reputation— and the full fruition of hiS desires has been attained. His aged helpmeet was born near Stanlyville, Washington County, Ohio, in the year 1800. She has been to him a wife in all that term implies, and the mother of four children : Rhoda A. (Coffy), Milton, Ruth (Okey) and Joseph.
PICTURE OF SAMUEL CALDWELL
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The latter resides on the farm where he was born in 1843. He married Miss Melissa, daughter of Jefferson Glidden, one of the pioneers of Olive Township.
Samuel Caldwell was in his lifetime one of the most active, prominent and best-known citizens of the county. He was born near Lower Salem, Washington County, Ohio, in 1800, came to Olive Township with his parents, and passed the remainder of his days on the farm entered by his father. Brought up as a pioneer farmer's son and subjected to the rigid discipline of that life, he had few educational advantages, though, perhaps, more than many of the youth of that day enjoyed. He attended school for one term in Marietta, and soon afterward finished his education in the pioneer schools of the township. He was active, as a young man, in all the spurts of the early days. He held some offices in the State militia, and was widely known as "Colonel," though he never attained to that rank. He followed fanning and stock-raising and was successful in those pursuits. He was one of the leading citizens in advocating the formation of Noble County and in securing the county seat at Caldwell. For the latter purpose be donated several acres of ground to the county. He may justly be regarded as the founder of the town, which was named after him. Ire was a prominent member of the Democratic party, but never sought or held any important office. Ile was once a candidate for representative to the legislature from Morgan County, but his party was defeated and he failed of an election, although he ran in advance' of his ticket. He was a member of no church, but was a strictly honest, just, God-fearing man, who was universally respected. He died in 1869. He was married in 1827 to Sarah Brownrigg, who was born in Westmoreland County, England, in 1801, and came to this country with her parents about 1817 Of this union ten children were born : William B., Jane (Ogle), Joseph (deceased), Fulton, Mary, who died young; Sarah (McKee) and Mary (Young), twins; Happy (McKee), John W. and Hannah (Belford). All live in Noble County, except William B. and John W., who are located in weStern Dakota, and Hannah (Belford) in Toledo.
William B. Caldwell, the oldest of the children of Samuel Caldwell, was born on the homestead, and resided in the couuty until about 1880. For twenty years he was probably the most extensive dealer in live stock in the county.
Fulton Caldwell, now a prosperous farmer and a leading citizen, was born on the Caldwell homestead in 1833. He was brought up a farmer. and has followed that occupation principally. His educational train ing was such as other youth of his day obtained while attending at the old log school-house ;dui its successor, "the old red school-house.” He was engaged in mercantile business four or five years, and for about two years was a stock-buyer and drover. With these exceptions he
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has devoted his time and attention to farming, stock-raising and dairying. For ten years he has been engaged in the dairy business, keeping an average of fifty cows and raising Jersey stock of high grade. He was married in 1860, to Ruth E., daughter of Robert McKee. They have but one child, Charles C. Mr. Caldwell is a member of the Masonic order. He was among the first oil operators in the Duck Creek field, and, as. is elsewhere shown, was the means of bringing this field to the attention of oil men. He took a prominent part in securing the two railroads of Noble County, probably doing as much to forward those enterprises as any other man in the county. He has also been identified with many other important undertakings calculated to advance the interests of the town and county. He is enterprising and public-spirited and bears an honorable name in the community, where lie has always resided. In connection with his brother, J. W. Caldwell, he has an interest in 'western land and in a stock ranch. These brothers sent to the Black Hills in 1876 the first steam sawmill ever operated in that region. This mill was set up at Deadwood, and it was but a' brief time before it had many competitors.