J. S. Caldwell (born December 10, 1837) and his wife, Janie A. Mott Caldwell (born November 12, 1849), both natives of Kentucky, came to Texas in 1876 from Warrensburg, Missouri, living for a year in Grayson County before coming to Palo Pinto County.  Here, they settled 10 miles northeast of Gordon and lived there for 19 years.  The rock foundation of the house they built is still in evidence and a depression where a cellar was built under the house still remains.  At this location, one of their sons, C. M. was born, May 1, 1880.

While the family was in no Indian raids, some took place near them during their life here.  J. S. Caldwell was a deacon in the Baptist Church and was commissioner of Palo Pinto County about 1880.  In addition to their six children, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell reared three orphan children.  He died at Breckenridge, Stephens County, in 1913 and his wife died in 1915.

C. M. Caldwell, who now lives at Abilene, has been a school teacher, practiced law, ranched and dealt in oil through the years.  He has been a deacon in the Baptist Church for 40 years and was county attorney of Stephens County from 1912 to 1916.

A good many descendants of these early settlers are scattered over the states but none live in this county.