William Clyde Caldwell

William Clyde Caldwell (May 14, 1843 – January 7, 1905) was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Lanark North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member four times from 1872 to 1875, 1879 to 1886, 1888 to 1894 and 1898 to 1905.

William Clyde Caldwell
Ontario MPP
In office 1898–1905
Preceded by	Richard Franklin Preston
Succeeded by	Richard Franklin Preston
In office 1888–1894
Preceded by	Daniel Hilliard
Succeeded by	Richard Franklin Preston
In office 1879–1886
Preceded by	William Mostyn
Succeeded by	Daniel Hilliard
In office 1872–1874
Preceded by	Daniel Galbraith
Succeeded by	William Mostyn
Constituency	Lanark North
Personal details
Born	(1843-05-14)May 14, 1843 Lanark in Canada West
Died	January 7, 1905(1905-01-07) (aged 61) Lanark, Ontario
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Ida Virginia Cauldwell (1868-1869) Katherine Smith Falconer (m. 1871)
Children	7
Occupation	Lumber merchant

He was born William Caldwell in Lanark in Canada West in 1843. He worked in his father's timber company and later became a partner in the business. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's College in 1866. Around 1872, he adopted the middle name Clyde, after the Clyde River in Lanark County where the family held timber limits, to distinguish himself from several other William Caldwells in the province. On his father's death, he inherited the company and several mills in Lanark. He became part-owner of a grist mill in Carleton Place and built a sawmill in Almonte. He also owned a woollen mill in Lanark. He was elected in an 1872 by-election to represent Lanark North in the Ontario legislature. In 1883, he moved to Kingston but kept property in Lanark. Caldwell was also a member of the Freemasons. He died in Lanark in 1905. Caldwell Street in Lanark is named after him.

Electoral history

Ontario provincial by-election, August 1872: Lanark North Resignation of Daniel Galbraith
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	William Clyde Caldwell	619	51.80
	Conservative	Bennett Rosamond	576	48.20
Total valid votes			1,195	100.0
	Liberal hold		Swing
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario

1875 Ontario general election: Lanark North
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	William Mostyn	913	50.72	+2.52
	Liberal	William Clyde Caldwell	887	49.28	−2.52
Turnout			1,800	80.07
Eligible voters			2,248
	Conservative gain from Liberal		Swing		+2.52
Source: Elections Ontario

1879 Ontario general election: Lanark North
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Clyde Caldwell	1,309	56.04	+6.76
	Conservative	William Mostyn	1,027	43.96	−6.76
Total valid votes			2,336	73.44	−6.64
Eligible voters			3,181
	Liberal gain from Conservative		Swing		+6.76
Source: Elections Ontario

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history