DR. W. S. CALDWELL, who enjoys a large and lucrative practice, is a native of Southern Kansas, and was born on the 8th of August, 1832. His father, Abner Caldwell, belonged to the celebrated Caldwell family of half a century ago. He was a full cousin of the Southern statesman, John C. Calhoun. The Doctor’s advantages on the frontier, his father having been an Indian agent, were so limited that at the age of fourteen he knew not a letter of the alphabet. When fourteen years of age Dr. Caldwell went to Michigan, where he commenced and completed his literary course; then he began his extended course in the study of medicine at the University of Michigan. He afterward pursued the study of medicine and surgery in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London. Dr. Caldwell came to Jo Daviess County in the year 1856, carrying his entire worldly possessions, which consisted of $20, in his pocket. He taught school one winter and then engaged in the practice of his profession at Elizabeth, where he remained fifteen years. He then removed to Warren, where he resided seven years and built up a very large and successful practice.

In April, 1877, the Doctor went abroad and spent two years in Europe, pursuing his studies in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London. Returning to America in June, 1879, ripe with the experience of twenty-one years’ practice and two years’ study in the most eminent institutions of the Old World, he located in Freeport, and at once entered upon a professional career which has been a success from the start. Dr. Caldwell has received five diplomas from different medical institutions. He is President of the Board of Pension Examiners of this district, appointed by the Commissioner of Pensions. He is a member of the Illinois State Medical Congress, which met at Washington, D. C., in September, 1887. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, and of the British Gynecological Society.

During his visit to Europe Dr. Caldwell devoted his time to surgery and the diseases of women. He is a great student, and is thoroughly devoted to the interests of his profession. His practice has proved very remunerative and he is considered one of the wealthy men of Freeport. While his profession is very exacting, yet he improves every opportunity to participate in all movements for the advancement of the city.

The Doctor’s familiarity with French and German enables him to keep abreast of the march of science in those countries, which he persistently does, through reading their standard works.

The Doctor was married to Catharine Hutchins April 1, 1858.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)