Sussman-Laabs

Transcribed from The Biographical and Historical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties Iowa Originally published 1886 Levi CALDWELL, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 17, Clay Township, was born in Portage County, Ohio, October 23, 1822, his father, John Caldwell, being a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and an early settler of Ohio. Our subject received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, which were supported by subscriptions, the school-house being a rude log cabin. He was reared to agricultural pursuits which he has followed through his life, and by his persevering industry and excellent management he has succeeded well in his farming operations, and is now the owner of a fine farm in Clay Township which contains 205 acres of land under good cultivation. He has been a resident of Wayne County since 1855 when he located in Richman Township, four miles north of his present farm. He has made his home on section 17, Clay Township, since 1860, but the board shanty in which he then settled has given place to a substantial farm dwelling. Mr. Caldwell was married in Portage County, Ohio, October 25, 1843, to Louisa M. Curtis, a daughter of Reuben and Hopy (Hills) Curtis. Nine children have been born to them, five of whom are living -- Oscar G., Marietta J., John F., Lydia A. and Seymour G., all are married and settled in life. One son, Gilbert C., was killed in a snow slide in Colorado, in February, 1878, at the age of twenty-six years. Mr. Caldwell has served his township as trustee, school director and road supervisor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.