ROBERT W. CALDWELL, of Gallatin, has now served a decade as circuit clerk of Sumner County and has proved a most capable and efficient official, the length of his service being indicative of his standing in the public estimation of this county both as an official and as a citizen. Here he has maintained his home from the time of his nativity and always has been identified with the best citizenship of the county, his own sterling qualities adding prominence to a name that has been known and respected in this locality for more than a century. The family originated in this state with Hardy Caldwell, a native of North Carolina, who came into the state in a very early day. His son, William, born October 10, 1807, in Sumner County, became a well-to-do farmer and reared a large family. Hardy Caldwell, son of William and the father of our subject, was born June 1, 1831, and passed away January 15, 1912, in the locality in which he had lived for a little more than four score years. His whole active career was spent as a farmer and he was very successful in that vocation, leaving to his children at his death, an estate of several hundred acres. He was numbered among Tennessee’s gallant defenders in the Civil War and as a member of Twentieth Tennessee Regiment, he fought at Mill Springs, Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, being wounded in his foot at the battle of Shiloh. He served from 1861 until his capture at the battle of Chickamauga in 1863, and from that time until the close of the war he was held a captive in the Federal prison at Rock Island, Illinois. On being released he returned to his home in Sumner County, Tennessee, and began life anew, resuming his occupation of farming. His entire life was marked by the deeds of a patriotic, public-spirited citizen and he so lived as to hold a secure place in the confidence and esteem of his community. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics he was a stalwart Democrat. A valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was one of its most energetic workers in this county, having served for years as a Sunday school superintendent and also having served as trustee and steward in the church of his membership. He wedded Miss Frances Markeum, a native daughter of Tennessee, who was born January 19, 1844, and yet survives her husband. She, too, is an earnest and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were six children born to this union. Robert W., the eldest and one of five now living, was born in Sumner County, April 29, 1867. Educated first in the public schools of his native county and then in a private boarding school at Willette, Macon County, Mr. Caldwell began independent activity as a teacher and taught in public schools for seventeen years. In 1902 he was elected clerk of the circuit court and has served in that office continuously and acceptably to all concerned to the present time.
On October 12, 1898, Mr. Caldwell was joined in marriage to Miss Willie Barnes, whose father is William Barnes, a native and a well-known and successful farmer of Sumner County. This union has been blessed with seven children, named: Rowena F., Ruel A., Stella M., Alleen, William B., Robert W., and Joseph A., the first four of whom are now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he unites fraternally with the Woodmen of the World, of which order he now is council commander in his local lodge. As a Democrat he has long taken an active part in the local political affairs of his party. He owns a good farm in this county and also owns town property. As teacher, official and agriculturist he has put energy and intelligence into his efforts and in each line of endeavor has attained definite success.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 5
