Alexander J. Caldwell
ALEXANDER J. CALDWELL farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bucyrus. One of the prominent and influential families of the country is that of Caldwell. There is scarcely a State in the Union in which the name is not found. and always among the very best class of citizens. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is no exception and fully maintains the honor, dignity and boundless hospitality of this old and distinguished family. He is a son of Hon. Samuel S. and Margaret E. (Mickle) Caldwell and was born May 27, 1828, in Adams Co.. Penn. he was 7 years old when his father emigrated to this county and settled in Bucyrus. He lived with his father until he was 23 years old, going to school during the winter in an old log hut that like Solomon's Temple, had been built without the "sound of ax, hammer or any iron tool." at least there was no iron in the material of which it was composed not even nails. In this crude hut he gained a fair knowledge of the common branches of education. He was married. May 25, 1853, to Miss Harriet C. Chambers, daughter of Andrew and Isabella (Marshall) Chambers, who was born in Richland Co., July 14, 1830. Seven children were the fruit of this union all or whom are now living, - Thomas J., married to Miss Mary and farms with his father; Smith C., Edgar C., Mina B., Hattie L., Mary A. and Frances Marion. After marriage Mr. Caldwell settled on his present farm on the Marion road, where he owned 100 acres. It was then but partially improved and cleared and was somewhat swampy. He has cleared it up, drained and improved it in the highest degree and erected not only substantial but even elegant buildings. Both he and his wife are exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church. and have been for a number of years. He is a Democrat and has always acted in concert with that party. His father, Hon. Samuel S. Caldwell, was born in May 1804, in Adams Co., Penn., where he lived until 1835, in the fall of which year he removed to Crawford Co., having married in 1827, Miss Margaret E. Mickle. He settled on the Plains south of Bucyrus, where he bought 200 acres of land, and farmed until 1856 when he removed to town. He lived here until 1877, and on Nov. 18, of that year died at the house of his son, Alexander in the 74th year of his age. His aged wife survives him and lives with her son (our subject). and is now in her 87th year. Hon. Samuel S. Caldwell was a public spirited and enterprising man. He was Justice of the Peace and Notary Public many years; was elected to the Legislature in 1844, and served his constituency faithfully in the Forty-third General Assembly and used his influence to have the county seat retained at Bucyrus. His family was as follows: Alexander J., Samuel, a farmer in Wyandot Co., and Florence McL... wife of, F. M. Welsh. of South Bend. Ind.
From History of Crawford County and Ohio, Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1881