The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-16
JUDGE CALDWELL
DIED YESTERDAY
The Much Regretted Event Occurred
at Los Angeles-His Homo
Was at Little Rock,
Arkansas.
"A NATIVE OF VIRGINIA
Veteran Of the Civil War and Was
Appointed to the United States
Bench by Abraham
Lincoln.

Many people IN Keokuk and south
eastern Iowa who knew and admired
the sterling qualities Of Judge H. G
Caldwell. will be saddened to hear OF
his death, which occurred at Los An
geles, California, yesterday, the an
nouncement of which has come to The
Gate City, through Mr.. James B
Diver. Judge Caldwell was known to
many Keokuk people and visited the
courts here as an attorney In the
earlier days of Iowa. He had high
standing in whatever he undertook,
at the bar, on the battlehelds OF the
civil war, and as Judge on the
bench. He was an appointee OF Prest.
dent Lincoln during the latter part OF
his notable first administration, and
Judge Caldwell showed throughout
his entire career On the United states
bench that the confidence the great
emancipation reposed in him had not
been misplaced.
Judge Caldwell was a Virginian by
birth and was born in Marshall coun-
ty, September 4, 1882. His father with
his family, came to the BLACK Hawk
Purchase" in 1886, when this local
ity was young, locating at Bentonsport
In Van Buren, county. Here the so1
helped on the farm and attended
school in the winter, and they were
pioneer schools. plain and simple. He
was Industrious and studious and be
gan to read law at the early age OF
thirteen and in 1S47, 1t Is said, he
walked to Keosauqua. the county sea-
and procured a place in the of1lce OF
Wright & Knapp, eminent lawyers In
that notable bar. After few years
he was taken into the firm and WHICH
twenty-four years of age was elected
prosecuting attorney, q distinguishes
honor for young attorney. In 1853
he was elected to the house of the
eighth general assembly and was ap-
pointed chairman of the Judiciary COM
mittee, a recognition of his legal
ability.
When the civil war began. he was
commissioned major Of the Third Iowa
cavalry and reached the rank OF col
onel in 1854 In June Of that year he
was appointed by President Lincoln
judge OF the United States district
court Of Arkansas. which position he
held until 1891, when he was promot'
ed by appointment as Judge Of the
United States circuit of Arkansas,
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa.
Minnesota, North and South Dakota,
Wyoming and Colorado. He was re-
tired at the limit as provided by law
and for some time had been in de-
clfning health.
Several years ago an Iowa biograph-
er said of Judge Caldwell that he
rendered some important opinions
while on the bench, favoring the peo
pie and guarding them against the
oppression Of great corporations aud
protecting laboring men, for which
he was commended.
Lawyers often refer to him and his
sterling judicial ability and fairness
veterans of the civil war eulogize him
for his courage and military SKILL and
old citizens commend him for his
amiable social qualities. Hs won an
enviable place during his eventful life
and his death is much regretted.
Judge Caldwell's home was at Lit
tie Rock, Ark, and he is survived by
his wife, two daughters and one son
Mrs. George Martin, Of Denver, Colo
RADIO, and Mrs. I. G.. Smith, of Little
Rock, Arkansas, and the son, Van
Caldwell, resides at Cape Girardear
Mo.