Person:Robert Caldwell (54)

Rev. Robert Henderson Caldwell was born May 17, 1825, at the head spring of Salt River, Boyle County, where he has always resided. He was educated at and is one of the Alumni of Center College, Danville. In 1846 he was licensed as a probationer by the Kentucky Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at Sugar Ridge, Scott County, and in 1848 was ordained to the whole work of the ministry, since which time he has actively engaged in his sacred calling. Besides other arduous labors, he has been pastor of the Caldwell Church in Boyle County over thirty years; Walnut Flat, Lincoln County, twenty-eight years; Hebron, Anderson County (in all) twenty years; he also served Bethel and Perryville five years at first. From 1867 until 1872 he conducted the Thornhill Boarding School at his residence, and he acted as county superintendent of public schools of Boyle County for over twenty years. He has been twice married: first on March 30, 1847, to Miss Rachel A., daughter of James and Sally (Givens) Harberson, of Boyle County. She was born in 1828, and departed this life in August, 1847. In December, 1849, he married Miss Lucy E., daughter of Abraham and Amelia T. (Moss) Irvine, of Boyle County, born October 1, 1828, and their union has been favored by the birth of Abraham I., Phebe J. (Starkey), James L., Amelia C. (Starkey), Ella, Logan W., Joseph W., Gabriel I., Robert T., Charles G., Maggie and Bessie. Mr. Caldwell has taken the council degrees in Masonry; is an Odd Fellow and a Good Templar; was a Union man during the late war, and in politics is independent.

REV. ROBERT HENDERSON CALDWELL

BY J. S. GRIDER, D.D.


There is nothing more untrue than the oft repeated sentiment that while the evil that men do lives after them the good is interred with their bones. Some men stamp their lives and characters on a nation or a generation and put influences into operation that never cease. Among the great powers for good in his neighborhood, presbytery, synod, and indeed his whole church was our dear brother Caldwell. He spent his whole life in one community, and almost his entire ministry in one charge. He grew stronger in influence and power for good as years increased upon him, and at the age of sixty-eight he held the people to him with a power that could not be broken. He has stamped the character of at least two generations with the seal of a pure and earnest religion. His life was a wholesome commentary upon the beneficent and growing power of a long and faithful pastorate. He was with his people so long, visiting them in sickness, sympathizing with them in their affliction, marrying their children, and burying their dead, besides leading them to Christ, that he seemed to become and essential part of their social and spiritual life. His preaching was so instructive, earnest, and spiritual, and at the same time so full of affectionate simplicity that the people came to him week after week and year after year as the thirsty come to the pure mountain spring.

The name of Robert Caldwell will linger in the memory and be lisped with the tenderest affection when the children of 1893 shall become the hoary headed veterans of 1950. In his home he inspired the tenderest affection of his wife and each child of his large family. In his community his name was a synonynm for purity, integrity, and godliness. In his presbytery he was conservative, clear-sighted, potent in influence, and yet progressive. In his synod and in the General Assembly he was original and honest in the highest degree. He was much above the average preacher for ability; his sermons were systematic and logical and as a consequence clear and easily remembered. His delivery was animated and carried with it the conviction of great sincerity. Industrious and studious, he kept well up with the march of advanced thought. He read book freely and kept in his study a good number of newspapers and the current literature of the day. Having an investigating mind and believing that the world was advancing, he dipped into theories and philosophies that he might find out their truth or expose their falsity. Upon the whole he, was a well-informed, well-balanced and well-equipped preacher of the gospel. His life was long and useful and he came to his end peacefully; rich in experience, rich in wisdom, and rich in grace.

The Rev. Robert H. Caldwell was born in Boyle county, Ky., May 17, 1825. He was the son of James and Phebe Henderson Caldwell. He was licensed to preach by Kentucky Presbytery in the year 1846, at the age of twenty-one, and ordained in 1848. He was reared on the farm on which his brother, Hon. W. L. Caldwell, now lives and just across the road from where he died.

His father was one of the pioneers of Boyle county and Central Kentucky, a thrifty and intelligent farmer, and one of the first Cumberland Presbyterians in all that section of country. Being an elder and a firm believer in the doctrines of the church, his son breathed in childhood an atmosphere of wholesome doctrine. In early life he listened to such giants in the ministry as Hiram Hunter, Caleb Weedin, Jesse Anderson, and Laban Jones.

He believed with great sincerity the doctrines of the church of which he was a minister. Living, as he did, under the shadow of Center College. he was often pressed to cast his lot with the mother church, and though larger salaries were often within his reach, his convictions of truth were more to him than sordid gold. He was educated chiefly at Center College, but spent sometime in school at Lebanon, Tenn. He was never a member of any other than Kentucky Presbytery.

He was twice married, his first wife living but a very short time. His second wife, Miss ______ Irving, the faithful companion of his abundant labor in the Lord, the successful director of his house, and the mother of all his children, survives him.

His children are intelligent and religious, and two of his sons are successful ministers in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The writer never lost a better friend or a dearer brother, having been much in his home and labored much with him in the gospel of Jesus, our Master. We will stack our arms on this side of the river and pass over and "rest under the shade." "Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things."


Mayfield, Ky.