John Caldwell (Michigan representative)

John Caldwell (4 July 1849 – 7 March 1916) was a nineteenth-century farmer and timber man of northern Michigan, associated with Missaukee County, Michigan. He was employed for several years by the Mitchell Brothers Company, a land agent firm in several states, dealing with large tracts of timber for making lumber. He homesteaded 100 acres, and had a diversified system of farming that proved successful.

Caldwell was Republican member of the Michigan State House of Representatives for two terms, from 1897 through 1900. He represented the Wexford district, comprising the counties of Wexford, Missaukee and Clare, and held several county and town positions in local government.

Early life
Caldwell's parents, John Caldwell Sr. and Jane (Thompson) Caldwell, immigrated from Ireland and arrived in the state of New York in the early part of the nineteenth century. They were married in 1840. John Caldwell was born in Orleans County, New York, on July 4, 1849. The family moved in 1856 to Litchfield Township, in Hillsdale County, Michigan, where Caldwell worked on the family farm. As a teenager, he started working in the woods of Tuscola County.

Caldwell was employed by the Mitchell Brothers Company, buying and selling timber lands.

Mid life


In 1875, Caldwell obtained a homestead. He later purchased an adjacent 40 acre of land. Caldwell and his older brother Thomas, were some of the earliest settlers in Missaukee County.

Caldwell was a member of National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry and had a successful diversified system of farming.

Political career
In 1897, Caldwell was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, on the Republican ticket, representing Wexford County, Missaukee County and Clare County. Two years later, he was reelected to the legislature.

Caldwell took an interest in public matters, and served Caldwell Township as highway commissioner, township clerk, township treasurer, justice of the peace, and township supervisor. He served as county treasurer and supervisor of Missaukee County.