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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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SAMUEL CALDWELL. It is said of Samuel Caldwell that when a young man he could do a bigger day’s chopping, out-jump or throw down any man in the district. He stands six feet tall and today, although sixty-nine years of age is still active, strong and vigorous. Samuel Caldwell is the son of Samuel, Sr., and Nancy (Coman) Caldwell, and was born in Salem, Washington county. New York, March 17, 1822. James Caldwell (grandfather) came from Londonderry, Scotland, and served in the Revolutionary war. At the battle of Bunker Hill he was twice wounded but recovered and died in Arlington, Vt. His wife was Mary Clyde, a Scotch lady, who was remarkable for her historical knowledge. She was possessed of a fine memory, an inveterate reader and a keen observer which made her of more than ordinary interest. She lived to an advanced age and retained her marvelous memory until the time of her death. She was also renowned for her skill in accouchement cases. Samuel Caldwell, Sr., was born in Arlington, Bennington county, Vt., in 1795, and removed from there to Washington county, this State, in 1812. Twenty years later he came to Portland town, arriving May 17, 1832. He was a lifelong farmer and lived in this town until his death in 1878, when he was eighty- three years of age. Many anecdotes are told of Mr. Caldwell. He was of striking appearance, six feet and two inches; straight as an arrow and weighing but two hundred and forty-five pounds, was perfectly proportioned. He was renowned for his great strength and many would be champions for wrestling honors fell before him. Mr. Caldwell had the reputation of being the best and neatest farmer in the town. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and officiated in the capacities of class-leader and steward. He married Nancy Coman, who was born in
Warren county, N. Y., in 1799. They reared a family of twelve children, nine of whom are still living, five sons and four daughters. Mrs. Caldwell was a gentle Christian woman, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in 1884, aged eighty-five years.

Samuel Caldwell came to Portland with his father and was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade but never pursued it steadily, clinging instead to the farm. Mr. Caldwell is now the owner of a good farm, which he secured by hard work and pays considerable attention to grape culture.

On Christmas day, 1843, he wedded Jane Ann Springstead, of Portland, who died two and one-third years later (April 21, 1846), leaving him two sons — Dewitt and Isaac W. The first-named died an infant and Isaac W. resides with his father. Mr. Caldwell married for his second wife Martha Ann Wilbur, of Portland, in 1848, and she died in 1868, leaving two daughters — Ellen E. and Martha J. Ellen E. is the wife of M. W. Brown, a Portland farmer, and Martha J. married L. A. Bigelow, similarly employed in the same town. In November, 1889, Mr. Caldwell re-married, this time to Mrs. Louisa (Wilbur) Smart, who came from the town of Chautauqua.

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Lodge No. 32, Equitable Aid Union. Politically he is an uncompromising democrat and has filled the office of road commissioner for two years.

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This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891. 

View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Chautauqua County, New York here: Chautauqua County, New York Map

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