My Genealogy Hound

JOHN M. CALDWELL, the Circuit Clerk of Johnson County, has been twice elected to this responsible and trustworthy position, the first time in 1890, and again in 1894. He also served as Township Assessor for two years, but has never been a great aspirant for political honors, though always endeavoring to advance the success of the Democratic party, with which he has been allied since casting his first Presidential ballot for Seymour, in 1868.

The father of John M., William P. C. Caldwell, was born in Russellville, Logan County, Ky., August 22, 1810, being a son of Samuel and Anna Caldwell, of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel Caldwell, who was a Brigadier-General under General Jackson in the War of 1812, was a lawyer by profession, and in his honor Caldwell County, Ky., was named. His eldest child, Dr. Robert, became an eminent physician in Kentucky, and afterwards in Cass County, Mo. He was killed by a locomotive about 1880, at Pleasant Hill. The second son, Aaron Burr, was a dry-goods merchant during his entire life, and died in Caldwell County, Ky. James was a life-long invalid. Mary Ann married a Mr. Morgan and died, leaving five children; and Julia A., the youngest daughter, married Jonathan Keedy. Rev. W. P. C. was the fifth of the family. He received a common-school education and learned the tanner’s trade in Russellville. Afterwards, going to Caldwell County, he established a tannery of his own, and while there married Jane A. Jackson, a native of Kentucky and his senior by two years. He was a very dissipated and bad man until his conversion, which took place when he was about twenty-eight years of age. His good wife induced him to attend church, and at length her prayers were rewarded, for he turned over a new leaf and from that time forward was not only a good man, a faithful worker in the church, but also preached more or less until his death. He had been a member of the militia and had a great influence for good with his comrades. In a few years he sold out his tannery in order to devote his whole time to ministerial labors, and in 1845 he moved to Johnson County, Mo., and bought a farm sixteen miles southeast of Warrensburg. The Sunday preceding his death, which occurred December 19, 1874, he occupied the pulpit, and for the very Sunday of his demise had an appointment to preach. He was a pioneer in the Missionary Baptist Church in this region and did great good. His wife died a year before, in 1873. His brother Samuel was a very influential minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Macon County, Mo.

John M. Caldwell was born in Jefferson Township, Johnson County, Mo., August 22, 1848, his twin dying in infancy. He was reared to manhood on his father’s large and well equipped farm, and received a good common-school education. When he was in his twentieth year he went to Macon, Tenn., where he attended the Masonic College, from which he was graduated in 1869, Returning home, he taught a country school in the neighborhood for two terms, after which he took a trip through the West, visiting Nevada and California. Soon after his return to this county he was married, and then embarked in farming on land owned by his father. Until 1891 he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but of late years has found his time fully occupied in the discharge of his official duties.

September 30, 1874, Mr. Caldwell married Annie L. Ford, of this county, and a native of Missouri, born August 20, 1855. They have two children, Ora S. and Lawrence M. While he was yet in his teens, Mr. Caldwell became identified with the Missionary Baptist Church, and is now Clerk of the congregation of which he is a member. Socially he is a member of Cold Spring Lodge No. 274, A. F. & A. M., with which he became connected in 1878. He has filled the positions of Junior Warden and Worshipful Master and has also served as Treasurer.