River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-10-08
The Passing of Mr.. Caldwell.

Died, at the home of his daughters,
in this city, Tuesday evening, October
sixth, az the advanced age of eighty
seven, Mr.. John Watson Caldwell.
Mr.. Caldwell was born in Franklin,
Warren county, Ohio, March 70, 1909,
and spent the greater part of his life
in that state. His home for many
years was at College HUI, suburb OF
Cincinnati, in which cityhe carried on
the practice of law. About four years
ago he removed to this city to make
his home with his two daughters, Miss
Charlotte, for several years past a
teacher in the state Normal school,
and Miss Elizabeth, who came to
River Falls at that time.
Although old age had begun to
show upon him in impaired powers
before he came to this city, it was
manifest to the most casual observer
that his prime had been that of a
kind and courteous gentleman, and a
man who had mingled actively in the
interests and affairs of his times.
During two years of his life Mr..
Caldwell served the United States
government as minister TO Bolivia,
South America, being accompanied on
that EN- bassy by his younger daughter,
Elizabeth. To this time in his life
his mind often reverted in these later
years and TO his more Intimate
acquaintance it was a common ex-
perience to hear him tell of the things
that happened during his South
American stay.
This long life has covered a series of
most remarkable years. 1t has been
his privilege to span a period of time
that has done more for the cause of
human enlightenment and human
progress than has been done during
centuries of previous time. In his
boyhood human slavery was common,
but it has passed away forever among
enlightened races. When he was born
the right and ability of intelligent
people to govern themselves was a
theory rather than a demonstrated
fact, for the people of this republic
had then lived but twenty years under
the constitution. All the applications
| of steam to locomotion have developed
during his time. for Fulton's expert
| ment antedated Mr.. Caldwell's birth
only two years, and he was almost old
enough to vote when the first trip by
| locomotive was made. AT the time of
his birth Madison had Just been in
augurated, George the third was still
on the throne of England and
| Napolean was not defeated at Water
loo until he was six years of age.
During the year 1909 there first saw
the light five persons whose names are
destined to live in the worlds history,
Lincoln, Holmes, Tennyson, Darwin
and Gladstone and though some of
them attained long life Mr.. Caldwell
survived all except the great Premier,
who still lives. To have lived through
all the cha nges of this greatest
century of ali centuries, to have eX-
perienced its yicissitudes and to have
shared in its many triumphs of right
over wrong, and, finally, to pass away
from earth without disease or pain
simply to drop to sleep as peacefully as
fall the autumn leaves to earth I'M
stirred by passing breeze, is an
existence and conclusion privileged
| to but few of mortal clay.
President Parker accompanies the
body to Cincinnati for burial for
which purpose he started this morn
ing. Amid the scenes of youth and
the surroundings of his vigorous and
useful years Mr.. Caldwell will be laid
to rest, while there are left to grieve
for him two faithful daughters on
whose assistance he has so much relied
during these years that have passed
since he came among us.
| Mr.. Caldwell has found
| tThat golden key
| That opes the palace of eternity" B.