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OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 479

in Johnstown were erected by him, and are a monument to his skill; among them may be named the Merchants' Hotel, Conemaugh Valley Memorial hospital, Penn Traffic building, G.A.R. building, the fine residences of the late Charles von Lunen, Charles Kress, Mr. Weir and many others. While thus engaged he was frequently called upon to settle estates. In June, 1894, he sold out and engaged in the lumber business. Politically he is a democrat.
    Mr. Strayer entered the army in 1865, in response to the last call for volunteers, and served in company E, Ninety-eighth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, until the close of the war. His regiment was attached to the Third brigade, Second division of the Sixth Army corps.


DR. WILLIAM CALDWELL, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, son of William W. and Martha (George) Caldwell, was born June 28, 1828, in Indiana, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. His grandfather was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and located in the vicinity of old Fort Derry about 1797, where he followed blacksmithing and farming. The father of Dr. Caldwell was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, but was reared in Westmoreland county. He was married about 1812. In 1814 he removed to Indiana, Indiana county, where he died in 1856. By occupation he was a blacksmith and a farmer. He manufactured the nails used in building the first county jail of Indiana county. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, a Presbyterian, and an ardent whig, active in all political matters. His abilities as a man of affairs were recognized by the public, and he was twice entrusted with the responsible office of county treasurer of Indiana county. Eight children

were born to them--four sons and four daughters, who grew to maturity, two children dying in infancy.
    Dr. Caldwell was educated in the common schools and the Indiana Academy, afterwards learning the printer's trade. For two years he edited the Appalachian at Blairsville. Abandoning journalism he took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Drs. Jackson and McKim, prominent physicians of Blairsville, Dr. Jackson being the founder of Cresson. He then entered Jefferson Medical college in Philadelphia, taking the usual course in that institution. He practiced his profession, first at New Florence, Westmoreland county, then at Blairsville, and in 1854 returned to Johnstown, where he has remained ever since.
    Preferring a business to a professional career, he was engaged for about thirty years in the mercantile business. In religion Dr. Caldwell is a Presbyterian. In his early life he identified himself with the Whig party and took an active part in the stirring political events that preceded the Civil War and the downfall of slavery. He carried a banner in the campaign of 1840, and later became a republican on the organization of that now historic party in 1856. He was chosen president of the first republican convention held in Cambria county. This convention sent Col. J. M. Campbell as a delegate to the National convention, in Philadelphia, that nominated Fremont for president. The doctor has always taken an active part in local politics, and has served twenty-five years as a member of Johnstown councils, and for one year after the flood was treasurer of Johnstown, and is assessor of the Fourth ward at the present time. He has been a member of Cambria Lodge, F. and A. M., of Johnstown since 1857, and enjoys the


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