Abbie (Caldwell) Singleton ~ The Caldwell Family

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Abbie R. (Caldwell) Singleton was the daughter of Robert M. Caldwell and Eliza Mary or Mary Eliza Bross, and the granddaughter of John H. and Matilda Bross.

Robert, who was born in Virginia in October 1870, and Eliza, who was born in Nebraska in July 1870, were married in Washington County, Nebraska on June 8, 1890.

The Caldwell family lived for many years in the Blair, Nebraska area, where it seems all of their children were born. In addition to Abbie,the known Caldwell children were:

1) Charlie F Caldwell, b. Jan 1891, Nebraska, married Theresa C Caldwell, b ca 1892-93 ~ residing in Lisco, Garden, Nebraska - 1920 and 1930 ~ no children
2) Earl C (1897-1978)
3)* Alice C B, Jun 1899, Nebraska
4)* Keturah B, b ca 1899-1900, in Nebraska, who may be Alice C.B.*
5) Agnes J Caldwell, b ca 1902 in Nebraska
6) Kenneth J. (1903-1981) (aka John K), b in Nebraska ~ residing in Jefferson, Colorado in 1940 and single at that time.
7) Chester C, b ca 1907 in Nebraska ~ married Margarette, at least three children, Donald, Jerry, and Jimmie ~ living in Morrill County in 1930 and 1940.
8) Walter R (1908-1931)
9) Edward, ca 1911 in Nebraska
10)Clyde R Caldwell, b ca 1914-15 in Nebraska

Additionally, I feel there is a strong likelihood that children Jesse W. (1892-1896) and Freddie H. (1893-1896) are also Abbie's siblings. This is evidenced by the fact that the 1900 census details declare Eliza to be the mother of 6 children with 4 still living (Charlie, Earl, Abbie and Alice), who have all been accounted for. This is further evidenced by the fact that Robert and Eliza were living in Blair at the time, that Jesse and Freddie are buried in the family plot, and that their years of birth match a gap between the birth years of Charlie and Earl.

The Caldwell family was still present in Blair for the 1900 census, but two years after the birth of Walter in 1908, the family surfaced in Smoky, Sherman, Kansas, returning to Nebraska by 1920 where they lived in Richland in Washington County.

As for Abbie, she obviously married a Singleton, and they did have at least one daughter, Edith, who was born in Nebraska ca 1918 and was living with her maternal grandparents in Richland in 1920. Although Edith's birth date is still unknown to me, Abbie did die in October of 1918 as a young woman, so there was always the ever-present possibility of child birth complications.

Edith was apparently raised by her grandparents, Robert and Eliza, as she continued to live with them in 1930, this time in Morrill County, Nebraska in the Weir-Lisco community. It appears that the family maintained a presence in Morrill County for quite some time, with Robert and Eliza, as well as uncle's Charles, Kenneth, and Clyde residing there, and with Charles and Clyde raising their own families there as well.

There is also evidence that Abbie's mother, Eliza, may have passed away on or before the year 1946, as she is not listed as a living sibling in her sister, Anna's, obituary, but where and when she passed away and what became Abbie's father, Robert remains to be seen.

NOTE: The family is sometimes listed under surname Colwell

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the above is with the help of FindaGrave volunteer Sheila #47702527; the obituary below is courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society and sent by FindaGrave volunteer Christine Solomon #49030906
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Published in the October 30, 1918 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska
Funeral of Mrs. J. R. Singleton

Among the many funerals of the past week of two have been more lamentable that that of Mrs. J. R. Singleton who was buried Tuesday. The casket was brought from the home in Tekamah and the service was held at the grave here. A quartette sang “Rock of Ages” and God Be With You Till We Meet Again” and Rev. John B. Williams, Pastor of the Christian Church of this city, gave a brief funeral sermon. Following is the obituary with part of the tribute paid to the dead:

Abbie Rose Caldwell was born March 19, 1894 at Blair and so was more than 24 years old when she died on Sunday, October 26, 1918. She was the daughter of Robert and Eliza Caldwell, of this district, and was raised here. Four years ago she married Mr. John Russell Singleton at Fremont and became the mother of three children.

Mrs. Singleton belonged to a family of nine brothers and two sisters, of whom all survive her but two brothers, and all reside in this vicinity with the exception of one brother who is now in the Navy in Washington.

In her early life she was beloved for her helpful and kindly nature. Interested in the cares of the household, she was always willing to assist the mother and share her burden of work. Few things can be said of a daughter more commendable than this that she was quick to mind and ever ready to help her mother. And this eagerness to aid others and this disposition to forget self was carried on later into her married life. To her husband she was a diligent helper and she was a devoted wife and an affectionate mother. She was slow to condemn. Forbearance, charity, gentleness and truth were traits of character that commended her to many friends. To those who knew her well she was dear; to her immediate relative indispensable.

She passes from us in the bloom of life, her task undone as yet and her lifework just well beginning.

Death’s the last enemy and the grim destroyer. No respect of persons or condition does death have. The young and useful and much needed have to go sometimes just as the old and weary who are tired of the world and its ways.

But God who is over all is good to all and cares for all. And so many the comfort of heaven sustain and little motherless children be received into the special keeping of Him who soothe the sorrowing and may the never slumber nor sleeps and whose strong arm is the defense of the needy and distressed.