Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 17. G. M. CALDWELL is not only well known in connection with industrial interests at Grants Pass in connection with a wagon shop for manufacturing and repair work but is also a leader in political circles here and has manifested the independent spirit which has dared to break off from the old party allegiance and become allied with the socialist movement that is seeking for equalization in those things which affect the great majority. He is today a member of the city council, to which office he was elected on the socialist ticket. He has always resided upon the Pacific coast and, like the majority of pioneers, early learned to value people and conditions at their true worth. Mr. Caldwell is one of Oregon's native sons. He was born on Williams creek in Josephine county, May 22, 1863, his parents being G. B. and Martha (Williamson) Caldwell, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father crossed the plains in 1846 and the mother became a resident of California a few years later. She had been previously married to Robert Wallace and it was after her arrival on the Pacific coast that she became the wife of G. B. Caldwell. Later they settled on Applegate creek in Oregon and afterward took up their abode on Williams creek. Mr. Caldwell had gone to California in 1848 following the discovery of gold in that state and while there he divided his time between mining and work at the trades of carpentering and cabinet-making. For twenty-eight years he conducted a cabinet shop on Williams creek, manufacturing all kinds of household furniture, the work being done by hand until railroads were built through this section of the state, bringing with them the machine-made furniture of the east. Mr. Caldwell then retired from that line of business and afterward carried on farming for several years. At length, however, he put aside business cares altogether and is now enjoying a well earned rest at his home in Grants Pass. His wife died here in 1907, at the age of eighty years. She had ten children, three of whom were born of her first marriage, and seven of her second marriage. Of these G. M. Caldwell is the only son and the fourth in order of birth. In his youthful days he remained with his parents and worked with his father until twenty-five years of age. He was then married in 1888 to Miss Lulu Day, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1867, a daughter of F. G. Day, at one time a member of the Oregon state legislature. Mrs. Caldwell went with her father to California and thence came with him to Oregon. At the time of his marriage Mr. Caldwell started out in business on his own account. He worked at cabinet-making for eighteen months at Williams and later operated a ranch for eight years on Williams creek and Applegate creek. The year 1903 witnessed his arrival at Grants Pass, at which time he established his present business, opening, a shop for the manufacture and repair of wagons. His patronage has increased until the business has now reached profitable and gratifying proportions. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have been born seven children: Leila, now the wife of J. A. Pilgrim, a resident of Hilts, California; Laura Myrle, at home; W. H.; Doris; Fay; Robin, who died at the age of three years; and Norman. Mr. Caldwell owns a pleasant home and also four lots on West C street. As previously stated, he is a socialist and at the present time he is serving as a member of the city council to which he was elected in December, 1911, he and Ernest Everton being the first representatives of that party chosen to office here by popular suffrage. He has also held some school offices and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell and all the members of their family except the youngest are members of the Baptist church, Fay joining at the age of eight years, at that time being the youngest member of the church. Mr. Caldwell's fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America. There have been no particularly unusual chapters in his life history but his record is characterized by progress owing to the fact that each day he has faithfully performed the tasks that have devolved upon him and in this way has found strength and inspiration for the duties of the ensuing day. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.