Hugh Caldwell was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, January
20, 1827, and died at Bayless, Tennessee, June 5, 1906. He was twice married.
His first marriage was to Miss Polly Bayless, who died in 1876. In 1879 he was
married to Miss Minerva Hoskins, who preceded him to the better country
about the year 1900. He began his ministry soon after the Civil War, and was a
preacher of righteousness and of the faith and practices of Baptists about forty
years. The churches be served most as pastor were Bethel, Oak Grove, Zion Hill,
Texas Valley, Milan, and Bethany. Several years before he died Bethany called
him as pastor for life, and here is where he was buried. He was Moderator of the
Northern Association for a number of years. At the division of this body and the
formation of the Midland Association he became Moderator of the new body. He was
a good parliamentarian and a graceful presiding officer, but he preferred the
privileges of the floor to the responsibilities of the Moderator's chair. "He
was at home in discussions on vital questions of doctrine, church polity,
discipline, and order in God's house." In a note of "sundry things" to the
Baptist and Reflector (October 27, 1898), signed "J. J. B.," is the following:
"The Midland Association was an enjoyable meeting. Its fifth annual session was
held with the Fairview Church. It is a small body, representing about fifteen
churches, but has some good material. Elder H. Caldwell is the venerable
Moderator, and Brother J. B. Carden is
clerk. The veterans present were Elders Bradford Demarcus, W. L. Smith and H.
Caldwell. These brethren have fought and wrought well for the Master for many
years." These men of God have all gone to their heavenly home, and are
doubtless enjoying their exceeding great reward in the Master's immediate
presence.
Elder
Caldwell left a number of children and grandchildren to mourn his passing,
notably a son, M. F. Caldwell, Esq., formerly of the Knoxville bar, a friend of
the writer's and correspondent for one of our Baptist papers, but is now
somewhere in the West.
