John Caldwell (Michigan representative)

Town record showing birth name given of George Washington Caldwell

John Caldwell was born at Ridgeway in Orleans County of New York state on the 4th day of July, 1849. His name given at birth was George Washington Caldwell as he was born on the anniversary of national independence. His parents {John and Jane Caldwell) decided a year later to change it to 'John Jr' after his father's name. He was the fifth in the family of eight boys and one girl, seemingly breaking then the Irish tradition of the first born son receiving the father's name since this name change was an afterthought. He was the third surviving son, however, so inherited the name 'John' and suffix by default. The third and fourth sons died before they were 10 years old. Caldwell's parents, John Caldwell Sr and Jane (Thompson) Caldwell, immigrated from Ireland and arrived separately in the state of New York in the early part of the nineteenth century. They were married in 1840.[1]

Michigan logging wheels

Caldwell came with his parents to Litchfield township in Hillsdale county in 1856 from upper New York state by way of the Erie Canal.[1] He worked on his father's farm in the summertime and during the winter he attended the local public school for children.[2] While his older brothers and his father were Civil War veterans, he was too young to enlist during this time period of 1861 - 1865. When he was nineteen years old in the early part of 1868 he went to the woods of Tuscola County of the thumb area of Michigan for about two years in his first employment. This was the beginning of his timber career where he learned the industry. In November 1869 Caldwell then went to Missaukee county in northern Michigan. He was gainfully employed there for years as a land agent for George A. Mitchell and the Mitchell Brothers Company for timber development in Michigan and New Mexico.[3] He was one of their key timber-men representatives. He worked with lumberjacks that used logging wheels for hauling timber out of the woods.[1]

John Caldwell obtained a homestead of 101 acres (0.41 km²) of government land in 1875 in Section 4 in Caldwell township of Missaukee County.[2][4] He later purchased an adjacent 40 acres (160,000 m²) land and a nearby 80-acre (320,000 m²) parcel.[1][5] These all contained old growth white pine timber that was of considerable value for the development of Michigan.[6] Much of this timber was used in the construction of Lake City, Manton, Cadillac and other northern Michigan towns.[7] Caldwell and his older brother Thomas (1843–1882) were among some of the first settlers in Missaukee County, Michigan.[1]

The township of Caldwell within Missaukee County is named in honor of these Caldwells.[8][upper-alpha 1][9] Both were deeply involved in developing northern Michigan in the later part of the nineteenth century.[1] Thomas was the second son in the family after James. His middle name was "Thompson", their mother's maiden name, following the Irish naming practice. Other Caldwell siblings were William, George, Charlie and Mary Jane.[7]

Caldwell's wife

1920 - Son Frank with wife (Mary) + grandson George

John Caldwell was elected in 1897 on the Republican ticket as a representative for the state of Michigan.[2] He represented Wexford County, Missaukee County and Clare County. Two years later he was reelected to the legislature[2][19][20] Caldwell received 3,173 votes to 1,888 votes for Joseph Yarnell (Democratic People's Union silver certificate).[upper-alpha 2][upper-alpha 3] Caldwell's personal Michigan legislative handbook shows the Representative members and what district they represented in 1897.[21][22]

• 
  Legislative Handbook
• 
  Legislative members of 1897
• 
  Alphabetical list of Representatives

The Escanaba Tribune reports in an article of June 1900 -

The article even explains the authority he has from the state of Michigan -

His authority for this work is given in a signed letter from the tax commissioners which is as follows:

Lansing, Michigan, March 28, 1900. To Whom it may concern: This is to certify that Mr. John Caldwell is in the employ of the Board of State Tax commissioners for the state of Michigan, and he has authority to confer with the supervisors and assessing offers respecting their duties regarding assessments made or contemplated, of logs, timber and other forest products and saw mill plants and lumber or timber manufactured therein. Respectfully, Milo D. Campbell, A.F. Freeman, Robert Oakman; Board of State Tax commissioners.[23]

Caldwell gave an assessment of Missaukee County in 1900 to the state of Michigan legislature saying, I think that Missaukee County is and has been valued higher than it should be, as compared to other counties. You are aware that this county's principle value has been in the pine timber which formed unbroken forests over the greater part of its area. All this timber has been removed, with the exception of 8,747 acres (35.40 km²), principally in the township of Norwick. He then summarized the forest products and acreage involved with each of these products. The total acreage involved was 339,097 acres (1,372.28 km²).[24]

Caldwell took much interest in public matters and served Caldwell township as highway commissioner, township clerk, township treasurer, justice of the peace, and township supervisor.[5] He was involved with the township's educational interests and at times filled the school offices, which advanced the educational interests of the community. Caldwell was the county treasurer of Missaukee County for four years and supervisor for ten years.[2] Caldwell was also involved with various laws concerning hunting deer in Michigan.[25]

Caldwell home in Manton, circa 1913

Caldwell and his wife were members of Missaukee Grange # 918 of the Patrons of Husbandry.[17] He was also the Master of Pomona Grange # 56 of Missaukee county in 1903 when it was organized.[26] Caldwell originally acquired a Homestead of 101 acres (0.41 km²) of government land in Caldwell Township of Missaukee County in 1875.[27] He later added an adjacent 40 acres (160,000 m²). From this he cleared 80 acres (320,000 m²) of timber that was then worked in an agriculture enterprise.[2] Caldwell had a successful diversified system of farming with multiple substantial buildings for his goods and commonities.[1]

John Caldwell's tombstone

Caldwell's tombstone of mother

Caldwell retired in 1909 and lived the last seven years of his life in Manton.[14] He built a house (pictured) 2 blocks east of downtown Manton on Main Street, which still exists today some one hundred years later.[28] His daughter Leona and her husband took over the ownership of his homestead in Missaukee county which they continued to farm for many years.[29] Caldwell was president of the village of Manton for one term. He often took a walk downtown to associate with the locals during his retirement.[30] He died 7 March 1916 at his home[30] and is buried at the Caldwell cemetery.[31][32][33]

• Blenz, Beth (1989). Encyclopedia of Michigan. Detroit, Michigan: Somerset Publishers. ISBN 9780403099733.

• Bingham, Stephen D. (1924). Michigan Biographies, Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Volume 1. Chicago, Illinois: Brookhaven Press.

• Bowen, B. F. (1905). Biographical History of Northern Michigan containing Biographies. Chicago, Illinois: Brookhaven Press.

• McGinnis, Carol (2005). Michigan Genealogy. New York, New York: Genealogical Publishing Company. ISBN 9780806317557.