Colbert Caldwell

Charles Colbert Caldwell (sometimes reported as Coldwell; May 16, 1822 – April 18, 1892) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Texas from September 1867 to October 1869. Biography Early life and military career Charles Colbert Caldwell was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee on May 16, 1822. Nathaniel Caldwell, on an excursion to Texas, where he attempted to enlist in General Sam Houston’s army; he was rejected, however, for being too young. Upon returning home he met Kit Carson, whom he befriended and joined on Carson’s expeditions across the American frontier. Caldwell got work as a merchant in Missouri and Santa Fe, which introduced him to the Spanish language.

He met Alexander W. Doniphan in St. Louis, Missouri and made another attempt to enlist (this one successful) at the age of seventeen. He became a member of Doniphan's staff during the Mexican-American War and travelled with Doniphan's forces down to Mexico. He received the nickname Tobe and carried dispatches from Mexico to Washington. In November of 1851 he was appointed adjutant-general of Arkansas to replace Allen Wood, who had resigned.

Political and legal career After passing the Tennessee bar in 1846 Caldwell opened up a practice in St. Francis County, Arkansas but moved to Texas in 1859, where he purchased at least eleven slaves. On August 23 1865, Texas governor Andrew Jackson Hamilton appointed Caldwell to the Seventh Judicial District. General Philip H. Sheridan then appointed Caldwell an associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court on October 18, 1867. and attempted to kill Caldwell; Caldwell survived but was "badly frightened".

Caldwell was appointed collector of customs of El Paso, Texas in 1872.

Personal life and death He married Martha Julia Michie, also from Tennessee, in 1847. They had eight children, six of whom lived to adulthood. He lived his later years in Winfield, Kansas. retired to the lounge, claiming he would have a few minutes' sleep. When his daughter-in-law entered the lounge to check on him, she found Colbert struggling for breath. He died shortly thereafter. His remains were buried in Winfield.

His grandson, Colbert Coldwell, founded Coldwell Banker.