The Natchitoches enterprise., 1914-04-02
James H. Caldwell. N. W. Grand
Master of Louisiana.

1t is with great prize GtiaI we
publish the following article that
appeared in a late issue OF The
Square and Compasses, as it con-
Germs one of the most honored
citizens of Natcbitoches, a man
who is generally beloved and res
pected and who has had conferred
upon him the highest Masonic
honors ever conferred upon any
Mason in the State of Louisiana:
The Craft in Louisiana is entitled
to the fluctuations of Masons or
the selection of its chief, into
whose hands the Grand Lodge has
placed the destinies of Symbolic
Masonry of this Jurisdiction fol
the next year.
Bro. James H. Caldwell, the
new Grand Master, is not un.
known to his brethren; he is, in
fact, perhaps the best known Ma
son within our state, throughout
the length and breadth of which
he has travelled as Grand Lecturer
for a number of years, meeting
the brethren IN their own lodges
and giving them instructions by
which they were enabled to arrive
ut q degree of efficiency never be-
fore attained. His courtesy and
amiability endeared him to all who
came in contact with him SO that
he has become PERHAPS the most
popular brother within the state
Bro. Caldwell has reached tie
proyerblal three score and ten,'
having been born in Sabine Parish
on August %, 1843. In the early
years of his life his parents re-
moved to Washington County
Texas, where he lived until 1861
when at the call of his Southern
country he enlisted in the army
of the Confederacy.
He attended the public schools
until his enlistment and from
them he received his early eduta
ton, On his return from the wal
his capital consisted of four dol
lars. This he invested in school
books and by study and applica
ton to them he attained further
knowledge.
At the cessation of hostilitie'
in 1865 he returned to his Texa
home and in the fall of that yea
he obtained a position will
Michael Healey as salesman, bu
returned to Sabine Parish, La.
| in the summer of 1867 and he &C
cepted position with r. B. Still
& Go. of Many, La, as salesman
and bookkeeper. remaining will
them until 1881.
In March 1869 he married Mis-
Daisy Forbis. The issue of thi
marriage was three boys, Charlie
Willie-now at Oakdale-Franl
of Robeline, and Mrs. Dais'
Greer now living in Robeline
wife Of Louis Greer.
Death claimed his wife early il
1881 and in 1882 he married Mis-
Josephine Daniel. To this mar
riage one child was born, a boy
who died when about twenty
months old. In 1882 he moved t
Robeline and engaged in mercan
tile pursuits until 1888, when HI
lost his oldest son nineteen year!
old, and his Youngest, and only
child by his last marriage, wher
he engaged as a travelling salesman
for the Gullett Gin Co.. will
whom he remained for severa
years.
He was elected and served a:
Parish Treasurer and President o.
the School Board of Sabine Parish
was appointed Assessor and Co
lector of Taxes, of Sabine, an
subsequently as assessor when thu
two offices were separated by
legislative act.
In 1896 he was elected a mem
Der of the General Assembly from
Natchitocnes parish and reelected
in 1900.
In 1883 he established a Fire
Insurance Agency in Robeline, il
which he is still engaged together
with the .office of Post Master. tt
which position he was appointed
in 1912.