Lafayette Caldwell
In memory of
Lafayette Caldwell
Born in
Washington, D. C.,
Aug. 12, 1824
Died April 5, 1882
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Biography
The record of Lafayette Caldwell written in stone at his grave in Old Bayview Cemetery reports his birth as 12 August 1824 in Washington, D. C. and his death at 5 April 1882 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Pedigree charts in the IGI Pedigree Family Search lists the same birth day and month, but offer 1823 as the year of his birth. His parents are listed as Josiah Flint Caldwell (23/9 August 1774 to 15 November 1859) and Maria(h) Helen Magruder (born about 1794 and died 7 March 1878). His paternal grandparents are Rev. James Caldwell, D.D. (14 April 1724 to 24 November 1781) and Mary Hannah Ogden. His maternal grandparents are Philip and Margaret Magruder. LaFayette’s father died in Washington, D. C. of paralysis in his 86th year. His obit says he was a native of Elizabethtown, New Jersey (Evening Star of 16 November 1859, page 3). Mrs. Caldwell died in 1878 also at an elderly age (in her eighty-second year) and according to her obit was buried from the Westminster Presbyterian Church (Evening Star of 8 March 1878). LaFayette (as his name is spelled in most family records) was the fifth child of Josiah and Maria Helen. His father may have had some southern sympathies as the seventh child of the couple is named “John Calhoun†Caldwell (but he died at less than a month old). Three other siblings of the family also died at less than a year old. LaFayette had left home by 1850 as he is note listed with his father and mother in that census. He must have came south prior to the Civil War and ultimately became proficient as a surveyor as he is listed as a wealthy civil engineer in East Baton Rouge in 1860. When he first appears in a census record in Texas, he is listed as “la Fayette†Caldwell, a surveyor and civil engineer who is a 56 year old native of Washington, D. C. (Nueces County 1880 census p. 8C). He is married to Frances C. Caldwell, a native of Louisiana; and they have a daughter Helen M. (possibly named for LaFayette’s mother). Helen too is a native of Louisiana (born about 1860 by this census) so it seems likely that LaFayette and Frances married in that state. They may have married in Baton Rouge where their daughter Helen was born. In the 1860 federal census they are listed in East Baton Rouge Parish (p. 479a). At this point they have a son John E. (listed as 5 years old) and daughter Helen (listed as 2 years old). LaFayette is doing well in his work as he reports his real estate and personal wealth as quite substantial for 1860 ($50,000 and $39,000). In 1880 the family is living on Chaparral Street, and LaFayette is working as a surveyor. Certainly by 1874 the family was already in south Texas as he had to swear an oath in Nueces County in February of 1874 because of his work for the government. In April of 1876 he was the newly elected county surveyor for Nueces County and had opened an office at the Dix House on Water Street in Corpus Christi (C. C. Daily Gazette of 22 April 1876, page 4 col. 1). A few months later he left to visit relatives in Washington, D. C. and then to tour the Centennial Fair (Daily Gazette of 4 August 1876, page 3 col. 1). In 1877 he was commissioned by the State of Texas to receive and pass judgment on the completed road of the C.C.S.D. & R.G.R.R. He went over the rails and approved the construction and their subsequent use of the railroad (C.C. Weekly Gazette of 7 April 1877, page 3 col. 2). LaFayette died relatively young (only about 58 years old in 1882), and his widow then moved to San Antonio. Their daughter Helen married James Walker of Marfa and died at only about 36 years old age on 17 July 1896 at Marfa, Texas. It may be that young Louis DePlanque whose parents are also buried in Old Bayview Cemetery played a part in Helen’s meeting James Walker or Helen may have gotten Louis his job in west Texas. Young Louis also died near Marfa, Texas in December of 1902. He was thrown from a wagon and became entangled with the team, ultimately receiving fatal injuries. At the time he was employed by Murphy & WALKER, ranchmen. It is not confirmed if this same Walker was the husband (or a relative) of Helen Caldwell’s husband James Walker. Young Louis DePlanque was buried (probably like Helen) near Marfa, Texas while their fathers—LaFayette Caldwell and Louis DePlanque, Sr.—were buried in Old Bayview Cemetery.
Special thanks to the Washingtoniana Division of the District of Columbia Public Library for copies of the obituaries of Josiah and Maria Helen Caldwell (parents of LaFayette).
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
2. News Item, 1876
Mr. Layfayette Caldwell, the newly elected surveyor, has opened his office at the Dix House on Water street. Mr. Caldwell is a man who stands high in his profession, and an official thoroughly competent to discharge his duties. By a strict attention to the labore devolving
upon him heretofore as deputy surveyor, he has gained the confidence of the people of this section, and with the future he will endeavor to continue to retain their esteem and respect. Read his card and see the class of work he is prepared to perform.
Source: CC Daily Gazette, April 22, 1876, P. 4, col. 1
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
Mr. Lafayette Caldwell left on the steamer yesterday. His intention is to visit Washington, and from there he intends going to the Centennial.
Source: The Daily Gazette, August 4, 1876 p. 3, col. 1
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
3. News Item, 1877
“Railroad Receivedâ€
Surveyor Lafayette Caldwell by Sunday’s mail received his commission from the state authorizing him to receive and pass judgment upon the completed road of the C.C. S. D. and R.G.R.R. prior to the issuance of the land certificates granted by the charter upon the finished road. Mr. Caldwell passed over the rails on Monday and was highly pleased with the work as presented, asserting that it was as smooth and evenly constructed as any road in the State. This decision will be gratifying to all those of our citizens who favor the enterprise, as it will at once receive the assistance of the land grant and urge the work forward.
Corpus Christi Weekly Gazette, April 7, 1877, page 3, col. 2
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
4. News Items, 1880
The name of LAFAYETTE CALDWELL is herewith submitted to the voters of Nueces county as a candidate for re-election in the office of County Surveyor at the ensuing November election.
Source: Semi Weekly Ledger, October 3, 1880, p. 3, col. 6
Surveyor of Nueces Land District, CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, A Draughman
Will execute all order for land surveys and the location of lands, will furnish maps of any part of Southwest Texas and attend to all land business. Will also furnish Plans and Estimates of Cost for the construction of Railways, Roads, Bridges, Fencing, Water Tanks, and Artesian Wells, and will purchase and erect all kinds of Machinery. Office at Corpus Christi.
Source: Semi Weekly Ledger, Oct. 3, 1880, Page 3, col. 6
Is herewith submitted to Nueces county as a candidate for re-election to the office of County Surveyor at the ensuring November election.
Source: Semi Weekly Ledger, Aug. 1, 1880, Page 1 col. 6
