Bio: Caldwell, George F. (1914)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

----Surnames: Caldwell, Freeman, Hewitt, Harkness, Sawyer, Fletcher, Bush

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 666-667

George F. Caldwell has been a resident of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, for more than two score years, and with other stalwart men has done his full share in the work of transforming what was, when he came here, a comparative wilderness into a land of fine homes and rich fruitful farms. A native of New York state, he was born in Chautauqua county, June 20, 1840, and is descended from Scotch and Irish ancestors, who came to this country in an early day and settled in New England, and is one of a family of five children born to John N. and Nellie (Freeman) Caldwell, as follows: George F.; Walter; Robert; Eugene, and Eva, who became the wife of James Hewitt. The father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Vermont in 1818 and was one of the pioneer settlers of Oshkosh, Wis., whither he came with his family in 1846, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1898 at the age of 80 years, the mother being 81 years old at the time of her death.

George F. Caldwell came to Wisconsin with his parents when 6 years of age. He attended the common schools of Winnebago county and assisted in the work at home. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was afterwards transferred to Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin, and did valued service for his country. On his return from the war he located in county, where he remained until 1870 and then moved to Eau Claire county and purchased a farm in Otter Creek Valley, which he improved and carried on his farming operations with success and profit. He is now living in retirement, enjoying the much merited rest from his many years of toil.

Mr. Caldwell married in 1861 Miss Helen Harkness, daughter of Helen Harkness, of Oshkosh, Wis., and they had a family of eight children: Nellie, who married Rolle Sawyer, is deceased, as is also George and Archie, the latter dying in infancy; Anengo W. lives in British Columbia; Grace is the wife of Fred Bush and lives in Black River Falls; Eva; Blanche married J. Fletcher, of Washburn, Wis., and Royall, who resides in Eau Claire.

Active in the public affairs of the county, Mr. Caldwell served thirteen years as a member of the town board of Otter Creek, acting as chairman of the board for five years. In 1889 he was elected as a Republican from the second district to the General Assembly of the state, serving one term. He is identified with the Baptist church; is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic.