Mrs. Elizabeth B. Caldwell, p. 1078

MRS. ELIZABETH B. CALDWELL. This highly esteemed lady is the widow of George J. Caldwell, and daughter of Alexander Borland, whose father, Andrew Borland, a native of Ireland, immigrated to the United States at an early day. In 1824 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander McClure, and children as follows were born to their union: Alexander, Mary E., Rebecca, Margaret A., Elizabeth, Sarah, Catherine, Andrew, Martha, Rachel and James, of whom Rebecca, Catherine, Martha and Rachel are now deceased. The father of this family followed farming during his manhood on the old Borland place, with the exception of about six years, and died in 1860, the mother passing away April 10, 1889.

Alexander Borland, eldest son of Andrew and Elizabeth Borland, was born December 10, 1825, on the farm in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood. In early life he married Margaret Jane, daughter of James and Agnes Crawford, who were the parents of nine children, namely: William (deceased), Sarah, Andrew (living on the old homestead in Peters township), Tamar, Mary Ann, Agnes, Elizabeth, Margaret Jane (Mrs. Borland) and Priscilla: of whom Andrew and Margaret Jane are the only ones yet living. To the union of Alexander and Margaret Jane (Crawford) Borland the following children have been born: James Crawford, Elizabeth McClure (Mrs. Caldwell), Andrew Alexander, Mary Agnes and Elmer Ellsworth (the last named being deceased). In 1876 Alexander Borland purchased his present home of 113 acres in North Strabane township, all being under cultivation. In political opinion he votes with the Democratic party, and he has held various positions of trust in North Strabane township. In religious faith he is a member of the U. P. Church, and a ruling elder in the same.

On October 17, 1878, Elizabeth B. Borland was married to George J. Caldwell, a son of Joseph, and a grandson of William Caldwell. The latter was born in Ireland, where he was reared, and in an early day he emigrated to America, coming at once to Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., where he made a settlement and followed his trade, blacksmithing, in connection with farming. He married Jane Hazelett, and their children were Margaret, Ann, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Nancy, John, Robert, William and Joseph, all now deceased. He was an active man up to the time of his death, and a prosperous agriculturist, a member of the Centre Presbyterian Church, and in political faith a stanch Democrat.

Joseph Caldwell, son of William and Jane (Hazelett) Caldwell, was born and reared in Peters township, this county, and received a liberal education at the subscription schools. In March, 1840, he was united in marriage with Agnes, daughter of George Johnston, of Allegheny county, Penn., whose wife was Jane McMachen, their children being Robert, Agnes, Sarah J., Mary, Margaret, Catherine, Tamar and George. Mr. Johnston was a carpenter and builder, a major in the State militia, a Democrat of the old school, and a member of the Centre Presbyterian Church. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caldwell settled on the home farm where he passed the remainder of his days, and where his widow is yet living. Their children were George J., Jennie (Mrs. S. N. Hopper), Lizzie (Mrs. Finley D. Brown), Annie M. (Mrs. William P. Hopper) and Ada. The father of this family passed from earth April 14, 1875. He was a self-made man, enterprising and highly-respected. As an agriculturist he had no superior, and he was a leading wool farmer in his township. In church connection he was a Presbyterian, a member of the Society at Centre, and his political leanings were of the solid Democratic type.

George Johnston Caldwell, son of Joseph and Agnes (Johnston) Caldwell, was born, January 16, 1851, on the old farm in Peters township, where his widow is yet living. He assisted his father in farming until the death of the latter in 1875, when he, by his father's bequest, took entire charge of the farm. He was a stanch supporter of the principles embodied in the Democratic party, and for twenty-one years filled the office of school director. In religion he was a member of Centre Presbyterian Church, and taught the same class in Sunday-school fifteen years. As a farmer he had no superior; as a neighbor he was universally esteemed. His hand was ever open to the needy, and his heart to sympathize with the afflicted. His devotion to his family was untiring. By tireless energy he succeeded in paying off the rest of the heirs, and clearing the farm of that encumbrance, but the task proved too much for his bodily strength; consumption made inroads on his system, and despite the efforts of skilled physicians, his spirit winged its way to God on Sabbath morn, October 20, 1889, leaving the entire community to mourn his departure from among them. His widow and two sons Joseph H., born August 9, 1879, and Alex. Borland, born September 23, 1881 still live on the farm containing about 200 acres of fertile land.

No family is more worthy of honorable mention, or has been more closely identified with the interests of Washington county, than that bearing the name of Caldwell.

Text taken from page 1078 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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