Bio: John Caldwell,  Caddo Parish La
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker




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John Caldwell, liveryman, Shreveport, La.  A livery stable is most 
essential institution, both for pleasure and convenience.  To be able to 
command at any moment a horse and rig for a drive in the country, or for 
business or other purposes, is a privilege, the value of which can not 
be too highly estimated.  Foremost among the liveries of Shreveport is 
the well-known resort of Mr. John Caldwell, located at the corner of 
Market and Travis Streets, and measures 80x150 feet.  Fine livery 
outfits, carriages and phaetons are furnished promptly on order, and 
omnibuses, baggage and drummers' wagons run to and from all trains, or 
will call to any part of the city.  Stock is bought and sold on 
commission, and a large mule market is run in connection with the 
stable, about twenty carloads being handled annually, besides a large 
number of horses.  Mr. Caldwell is one of the oldest residents of 
Shreveport, having resided in the city ever since 1853; established the 
present business in 1855, and has been in it continuously ever since.  
Aside from this he is the owner of considerable real estate in the city, 
and is largely interested in planting in the neighboring parishes.  He 
was born in Europe, February 21, 1836, and his parents, John C. and Mary 
(Reicherter) Caldwell, were also natives of Europe, both of whom died 
there.  John Caldwell came to America with an uncle in his infancy.  The 
uncle settled in South Carolina, near Newberry, and here our subject 
remained until 1853, receiving a good common-school education at this 
place.  He assisted on the farm, and at the hotel an delivery business 
until 1853, then he came to Shreveport, La., where he worked with a 
farmer, and was satisfied with any employment to get an honest living, 
until 1855,  and from that time went in to the livery business until the 
breaking out of the war.  In 1861 he enlisted in Porter's command of 
Arkansas, was wounded at the battle of Oak Hill, and returned to 
Shreveport.  He then enlisted in Capt. Denison's Cavalry company and 
served until the close of the war.  He had charge of all the 
transportation of Capt. Johnson's Assistant Quartermaster Department, C. 
S., and had over 6,000 head of horses and mules.  After the surrender he 
returned to Shreveport and re-embarked in the livery business.  This 
enterprise he has carried on ever since, and has been quite successful.  
He keeps about fifty head of fine horses and mules in his mammoth barns, 
and a number of first-class vehicles.  he is also engaged in planting, 
and owns about 4,000 acres of land on which he raises cotton, corn, hay, 
and vegetables.  he came to Shreveport without a dollar, and he now has 
good paying property, all the result of push and energy.  Socially he is 
a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders and of the Fire 
Department.  He was married in 1873, to Miss Julia Lattier, who is a 
consistent member of the Catholic Church.