JOHN C. CALDWELL

John C. Caldwell is numbered among those men whose efforts have not been limited to one line of business, but have been directed into various channels of activity, wherein he has won substantial success, and he is now classed with the leading business men of Cedar county, while as a dealer in fine grade horses he is well known throughout the entire state of Iowa. One of Cedar county’s native sons, his birth occurred in Fremont township on the 12th of February, 1867, a son of Alexander Caldwell. The latter was born in Pennsylvania in 1832, and while a resident of that state was united in marriage, in1853, to Miss Ellen Curry, also a native of the Keystone state. The year 1858 witnessed their arrival in Iowa, where the father took up land in Fremont township, Cedar county and there opened up a farm of more than four hundred acres. With characteristic energy he soon brought his property under a good state of cultivation, erecting good buildings and introducing all the improvements known to agriculture at the time. With the passing years he prospered in his undertaking and at the time of his death was recognized as one of the well known and prominent farmers of his section of the county.

It was on this homestead farm that John C. Caldwell was reared, and amid the busy activities of rural life learned many lessons concerning the value of industry and energy. He received good educational advantages, acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools, while later he pursued a two-years’ course in the schools of Cedar Rapids. After laying aside his text-books he returned home and assisted his father in the work of the farm for several years. Subsequently he engaged in railroading in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company for over two years, after which he again returned to agricultural pursuits, with which he was identified for several years, at the same time making a specialty of buying and selling horses. He became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is still in his possession and is a high improved property.

In February, 1908, however, he removed from the farm and took up his abode in Mechanicsville, where he purchased residence property, remodeled the house and made a comfortable and attractive home. Since that time he has given much of his time and attention to his stock interests, erecting a large barn and office near the station, where he conducts an extensive business in horses. He makes a specialty of buying and selling high grade Belgian and Norman horses and also heavy weight horses, and has handled many valuable animals. He sold two teams of horses for nine hundred dollars for each team, another for eight hundred and fifty-five dollars, and since opening his town office in less than three years, has bought and sold one thousand, one hundred and fifteen head. In this connection he travels extensively, buying and selling horses throughout a large part of the country, and has become recognized as one of the best known horse dealers in the state of Iowa. But not alone to this line of activity, however, has he directed his attention, but is well known in other channels, becoming identified recently with the real-estate business, wherein he has executed some important deals, and has also taken the agency for a well known automobile firm. Characterized by indefatigable energy, close application and intelligent direction, his efforts in the various lines to which he has given his attention have been crowned by excellent success, which has been purchased at the price of earnest and well defined labor, and today he is ranked among the leading business men of his community, a position which is due to his sound judgment and wise management.

Mr. Caldwell was united in marriage in Tipton, Iowa, on the 12th of February, 1900, to Miss Lulu M. Wisener, a native of Cedar county, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of Aaron Wisener and a sister of William Wisener, of Tipton, and by her marriage to Mr. Caldwell became the mother of one daughter, Florence Caldwell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are well known in social and fraternal circles, the former being a Master Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge of Mechanicsville, while Mrs. Caldwell is identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. They have gained a large circle of warm friends during their residence in this city, and the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely extended to them.