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NAME: Caldwell, Robert (m. Isabelle Smith)

OBIT: The Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Thursday 29 Dec 1892

ROBERT CALDWELL DEAD After Months of Suffering, He Succumbs to the Inevitable Saturday Morning, at 2:30 O'clock
 Our community was startled Saturday morning by the announcement that Robert Caldwell was dead. All knew of his sickness, but few thought him so near death's door. Mr. Caldwell had not been down to his office for nearly or quite two months, but all of us hoped to see him around again in the spring. He had been talking of a trip to Oklahoma in the fall where he had some interests to look after. Later he talked of a run up to Cherokee, this state to visit a sister, Mrs. Dr. J. C. Hutchinson. But he failed too rapidly to permit the attempt of either journey. All that medical skill and kind nursing could do was done, but without avail, and on Saturday morning at about 2:30 o'clock the end came. Those of his own family present at his death were his wife, two children and a sister, Miss Della Caldwell, of Monmonth. The funeral occurred at the laste residence Sunday, Christmas day at 2 o'clock p.m. The services were conducted under the auspices of the K. P. lodge of this place, of which Mr. Caldwell was a member, after which the remains were laid away by kind hands, in the cemetery at Columbus City.
 Robert Caldwell was born December 20, 1838, in Butler county, Ohio. He was of Scotch-Irish decent, his paternal grandfather, William Caldwell, having emigrated from the north of Ireland, his mother being of Scotch-Irish parentage. He took a partial course in the Miami University, but entered upon the study of law with Judge James Clarke, of Hamilton, Ohio, before he completed his course. He graduated at the Cincinnati law school in 1861. Practiced law there until 1863. Followed his chosen profession at Cleveland until 1866 when he removed to Cameron, Missouri. Here he staid until 1872. Was in Kansas City a few months. Later at Monmonth, Illinois. Came to Columbus Junction in July, 1873, and here was his home up to the last. From 1882 to 1884 P.F. Forbes was associated in business with him. June last Mr. F.S. Molsberry entered into practice with him. In 1879, April 21, he was united in marriage to Isabella Smith, who with the two children, Catherine E. and Robert C. are left to mourn their great loss. Two sisters, Miss Caldwell, of Monmonth, Illinois, and Mrs. Hutchinson, of Cherokee, survive him.
 Mr. Caldwell was an able lawyer, an honest man, and universally loved. Columns could pass no higher encomium than that short sentence, but his memory deserves the very best his friends have to give. His death is deplored by all who knew him and the mourning family have the sympathy of the entire community.

contributed by Teresa Davis

BIO: Biographical Album of Louisa Co IA pub. 1889

  Robert Caldwell, a prominent attorney-at-law of Columbus Junction, Iowa, was born at Butler County, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1838, and is a son of Robert and Catherine (Irwin) Caldwell. His father was born in South Carolina, of Irish descent, and the paternal grandfather, William Caldwell, an emigrant from the North of Ireland, was the first of the family to come to America. The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky, of Scotch Irish parentage.
 Robert Caldwell was educated at Miami University, where he took a scientific course, but left the school at the close of the sophomore year. He then entered upon the study of law with Judge James Clarke of Hamilton Ohio, and was graduated at the Cincinnati Law School in the class of '61. On the completion of his law course he began practice at Hamilton, Ohio, continuing there until 1863, when he went to Cleveland, and conducted a law practice in that city until the latter part of 1866, when he removed to Cameron, Mo., and was in practice there until the spring of 1872. Going to Kansas City in the autumn of that year, he made it his home until the following spring, and then went to Monmouth, Ill., but only remained there until July, at which time he became a resident of Columbus Junction, Iowa. Mr. Caldwell has pursued the practice of his profession at that city alone to this date, with the exception of two years, from 1882 to 1884, when he had P. F. Forbes as his partner.
 On the 21st of April, 1879, Mr. Caldwell was married, at Lancaster, Mo., to Miss Isabella, daughter of James Smith, and a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children, a son and a daughter: Catherine E., aged seven years, and Robert Calvin, aged five years. In politics Mr. Caldwell is a Democrat, and not being on the popular side has never figured conspicuously in public affairs. He is well up in his profession, and ranks as one of the leading lawyers of Louisa County.