William A. Caldwell, cashier of the First National Bank of Jackson, Tenn., was born in Greensboro, N. C., October 1, 1817, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Doak) Caldwell, both natives of North Carolina, where they lived and died. Subject was reared and educated in his native place. In 1833 he began clerical work as clerk in superior court clerk's office under his father, and in 1837 he engaged in the mercantile business with his brothers, which he followed successfully until 1853, when he was made cashier of a bank in his native place, in which business he engaged with good success until the war. After the war he was upon finance committee of the North Carolina Railroad for about four years, and was treasurer of the road twenty months. In the meantime he wound up his first banking business, which had been crippled by the misfortunes of war, and in 1872 came to Jackson and set upon foot the project for a savings bank, and the following year removed here with his family and opened up the Jackson Savings Bank, of which he was cashier. August, 1874, the bank was merged into a national bank under present name, and Mr. Caldwell has been its efficient and faithful cashier ever since. In 1849 he married Rachell Donnell, of North Carolina. They have five children - two sons and three daughters. Mr. Caldwell was originally an old line Whig in politics, but since the war has been a conservative Democrat, representing his district one year in the State Legislature in North Carolina. Himself and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Caldwell is justly recognized as one among the most substantial and enterprising of Jackson's citizens, and to his long experience and fine business tact is due the eminent success of the banking institution with which he is so prominently identified.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee