John D. Caldwell
John D. Caldwell born in Zanesville Dec 28 1816, of Scotch Irish family, early Ohio Settlers. Mr. Caldwell went to Kenyon College, remained there for 3 yrs. He came to Cinn. in 1835 and found his first employment as clerk on steamers in the Ohio and Mississippi River trade. Later he became
transportation agent for the Little Miami Railroad, one of the first steam roads in the West, and he remained there until called to become General Secretary fo the C.H.&D. Railroad. His first entry into politics was in the campaign of which Gen. Winfield Scott was a candidate for the Presidency. Mr. Caldwell at that time became proprietor of the Atlas and Chronicle newpaper. While managing this he met Murat Halstead and gave him his first newspaper engagement in the city. The paper was later sold to the Cincinnati Gazette of which Mr. Caldwell was editor, along with Judge John C. Wright, for 2 yrs. During this time he (with others) organized the movement to establish the Cincinnati Public Library. Later becoming the clerk of the Cincinnati School board, editor of the Journal of Education and for 2 yrs clerk of the Ohio House of Reps.
He married in 18854 Margaret Templeton, daughter of Capt William Templeton. During Civial War times, he was one of the leaders of the Union cause in Cinn. He organized the Home Guards, was chairman of the committee of safety, served on the staff of General Burbank when the latter came to the city to arrange for the defense of the city. Formost in organizing the Sanitary Fair, the Refugee Relief Association and the National Union Association Part of his time was taken up with the Masonic order, which he was devoted.
He took the first degrees in Amity Lodge, Zanesville in 1844. In Cinn he became identified with N.C. Harmon Lodge, the Cinn. Council and the Templers, and took the Scottish Rite degree in 1865. In 1852 he was elected Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ohio unitl 1887. Became recorder of the
Grand Commandery and of the Grand Council in the same year and served for over 30 yrs. His final honor in Masonry was of Emeritis Grand Secretary, created for him by the Grand Lodge and Grand Council.
An unreported achievement of Mr. Caldwell was that he was Secretery of the Cinn Pioneer Association.
John Day Caldwell passed away at his home 422 John St, April 4, 1902.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III, by Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912