BIO: Reuben CALDWELL, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 834 & 835. _____________________________________________________________ REUBEN CALDWELL, a highly respected retired farmer of Knox township, Clearfield county, Pa., residing on his valuable farm of 300 acres, which is situated eight miles south of Curwensville, was born June 1, 1828, in Pike township, Clearfield county, Pa. His parents were Matthew and Mary (Bloom) Caldwell. Matthew Caldwell was born and reared in Lancaster county, Pa., where he remained until early manhood, when he came to Clearfield county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Mary Bloom who was born in New Jersey, and twenty children were born to them, Reuben being the seventh in order of birth. Matthew Caldwell was the oldest of the sons of Hugh Caldwell and before his marriage resided for a time with his father, who then lived near Curwensville. After marriage he settled on a wild tract of ninety acres, in Pike township, to which he subsequently added 100 acres and through hard work cleared one-half of his property. When he died, at the age of eighty-two years, he expressed the wish to be buried on his own land, and his wife was laid by his side. They were members of the Presbyterian church and lived consistent, Christian lives. Matthew Caldwell was an old-time Democrat as were all his sons. The family is one well known in Pennsylvania. Reuben Caldwell learned his first lessons in an old round log schoolhouse but afterward attended what was known as the Arnold school about one mile from his home. The sessions were held but three months in the year but after he was old enough to go into the woods and to help materially on the farm, he had few opportunities for study. It was the object of young men in his early years to work hard and thus acquire land and to find pleasure and profit in developing it. Before he married, Mr. Caldwell had become the owner of a part of his present farm and afterward kept adding to it until he now owns 300 acres, land which is valuable both for farming, pasturing and also as coal land, a fine coal bank being on the home place. For some years Mr. Caldwell has lived retired from active labor but he keeps in close touch with all that goes on on the farm and gives advice of which he knows the value by experience. Formerly he also followed lumbering. In June, 1857, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Mary F. Johnston, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Cameron) Johnston, both of whom were born in Scotland. To them were born the following children: Mark A., who married Lydia Goon, a daughter of Joseph Goon; Elizabeth Alice, who is the wife of Samuel Wise, of Bloomington; Mary Ellen, who is the widow of Joseph Bechdel; Robert M., who married Amanda Campbell, who lives in Oregon; Priscilla Jane, who is the wife of William McNeal, of Altoona; and Annie Isabella, who is the wife of Frank Moore, residing near Lumber City, Pa. Mr. Caldwell and wife are members of the Presbyterian church in Jordan township. During his more active years he served his fellow citizens in many township offices, being a school director, tax collector and road supervisor. Both he and wife are widely known and they are held in much esteem.