Robert Porter Caldwell

Robert Porter Caldwell (December 16, 1821 – March 12, 1885) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 7th congressional district of Tennessee.

Robert Porter Caldwell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 7th district
In office
March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873
Preceded byIsaac R. Hawkins
Succeeded byJohn Atkins
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
In office
1855-1856
Member of the Tennessee Senate
In office
1847-1848
Personal details
Born(1821-12-16)December 16, 1821
Adair County, Kentucky, US
DiedMarch 12, 1885(1885-03-12) (aged 63)
Trenton, Tennessee, US
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Harriett James Wilkins Caldwell
  • Anna E. Caldwell
ChildrenThomas Wilkins Caldwell

Biography

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Caldwell was born in Adair County, Kentucky, on December 16, 1821. He moved with his parents to Henry County, Tennessee, and a few years later moved to Obion County. He attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, and studied law at Troy.[1]

Caldwell married Harriett James Wilkins who was born October 11, 1829, in Maury County, Tennessee, and died August 8, 1865. They were married on March 15, 1851, in Trenton. They had 5 children.[2]

Career

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Admitted to the bar, Caldwell commenced practice in Trenton in 1845. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1847 and 1848. He was a member of the Tennessee Senate in 1855 and 1856. He was elected attorney general for the sixteenth judicial circuit of Tennessee in 1858.[3]

During the Civil War, Caldwell was a major in the Twelfth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, of the Confederate Army.

Caldwell was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second Congress, but was not a successful candidate for re-election to the Forty-third Congress. He served from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1873.[4] He resumed the practice of law in Trenton, Tennessee.

Death

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Caldwell died in Trenton on March 12, 1885 (age 63 years, 86 days). He is interred at Oakland Cemetery, Trenton, Tennessee.[5]

References

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  1. ^ University, Cumberland (1911). Catalogue of Cumberland University ... Wade & White, Herald Book and Job Office.
  2. ^ "Robert Porter Caldwell". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Robert Porter Caldwell". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Robert Porter Caldwell". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Robert Porter Caldwell". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 7th congressional district

1871-1873
Succeeded by