James was my fathers grandfather. What I know of James was that he was a famer. He was buying up smaller farms before the Depression. By the end of the Depression, he had lost almost everything but his house.

Newman Caldwell, grandson of James by Lester Earl, tells me that after the Depression, James and Molly went on to operate a rooming house.

James moved into the home of his son, Edward, and died at Moline Hospital in Moline, Illinios - the same hospital that my father, myself, and my son were born. - JAC


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Obituary of James L. Caldwwell

James L. Caldwell, son of James L and Merriam Caldwell was born on a farm near Lewisburg, Iowa, June 6, 1869, and died March 5, 1951 at Moline City Hospital, Moline Illinios following a brief illness.

Mr. Caldwell married Hattie Surbaugh December 12, 1888, and they lived on the home farm near Lewisburg until her death Januray 8, 1892.

On October 31, 1898, Mr. Caldwell married Mary M. Berry and continued to live on the home farm until 1916, when they moved to Humeston. Later they moved to Leon, Iowa where Mrs. Caldwell died on October 1, 1943. Since that time Mr. Caldwell has lived with his sons in Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Illinios.

Mr. Caldwell was a member of Clay Masonic Lodge at Lewisburg, Iowa, where he served as master for several years. He also was a member of the Eastern Star at Leon, Iowa.

Three brothers and four sisters preceded him in death. One son died in infancy, and another son, Clive Eugene, died May 2, 1918. Surviving are three sons: L.E. Caldwell of Lewisburg, Edward B. of Davenport, and James L. of Moline; one sister Dr. Eva McGuire of Garden Grove, Iowa; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 9, 1951 from Slades' Funeral Chapel at Leon, Iowa, the Rev. John McCallum officiating. Masonic services were conducted by Clay Lodge of Lewisburg with Kenneth Mitchell officiating. Mr. Lionel V. Foley, accompanied by Mrs. Hazel Hines at the piano sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "The Lords Prayer". Burial was in Lewisburg cemetery. Pallbearers were Earld Cox, Roy Cox, Ross Fulton, Payton Hull, Everett Kronklin and Mark Riddle.

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Mason and Eastern Star