Our thanks goes to Darrell Klassey & Sharee Stroud for most of our information about this branch of the family.
Robert William CALDWELL was the son of Henry H CALDWELL and Margeret BANKHEAD
Robert was born 24 December 1901 in California.
Fern SCOTHORN was born in 1905 in Montana
Mary Agnes RODRIGUES was born 20 April 1902 in Maderia, Portugal Family history says Mary's first marriage was as a "bartered bride", as her father sold her to her first husband. The marriage did not last long and ended in divorce.
Robert enlisted in the Navy in 1917 and listed his birth as 24 December 1899, obviously to be eligible for service. His mother, Margaret, signed off on the two year enlistment. He enlisted again in 1920, until 1921. Before and after his second enlistment, Robert William CALDWELL gave his place of residence as Cutler, California. Probably in Tulare County.
The Oakland City directories list Robert as living with his parents in 1923. In 1924 and 1925 he is listing as living with Fern.
Since his 1930 census record states his first marriage was at age 20, he probably married Fern sometime in 1922.
Russell
Robert CALDWELL, born 10 January 1925 in Alameda County, California.
Russell's mother is listed as "Scothorn" on the birth record. From the 1920 census we find
a Fearn Scothorn, age 15, living with her divorced mother Anna, aged 40
and her younger brother Russell, age 12, in Great Falls, Montana. Fern
was born in Montana, her mother was born in England and her father was
born in Indiana. Fern is probably Russell Robert CALDWELL's mother. It is unclear what
happened to Fern.
Per the Oakland directories, Robert is back living with his parents in 1926 through 1928.
As of 1930 this family was living at 4058 Waterhouse Road, Oakland, California. Robert is listed as 28, born in California, father born in Nebraska, mother born in USA. He is a Foreman for a Draying Company. His age at first marriage is 20. His wife Mary is also 28, born in Portugal and her parents were born in Portugal. Her age at first marriage was 17. (Therefore, this is at least a second marriage for both, and they were probably married some time between 1926 and 1930) Also in the home is Russell R CALDWELL. Russell is the child of Robert's first marriage with (Fern?) Scothorn. They own their home and it has a value of $5,000.
Robert Howard CALDWELL was born 3 September 1930 to Robert William CALDWELL and Mary A. RODRIGUES.
Marlene Margaret CALDWELL was born 7 March 1933 in Alameda County, California Marlene told her children that her grandmother Margaret was the sweetest person she knew.
Family history says Robert William Caldwell and Mary A Rodrigues had custody of Robert's son Russell in the early 1930's. Russell's birth mother came to visit and to take him to a local park, but she kidnapped Russell and Robert William Caldwell never saw his son again. During World War II Russell joined the Navy and came to visit in 1945. Marlene was age 12 at the time and it was the first time she had met her half brother. Marlene and Russell stayed close over the years.Robert William CALDWELL passed away on 28 October 1934. Sadly, Robert had the flu and a high fever and went into conlusions, causing him to swallow his tongue and choking to death.
From the 1940 census we find Mary,
age 37, and her two children Robert, age 9 and Marlene age 7,
living at 2915 62th Avenue, Oakland, California. Mary
is a Cafeteria Helper in the City of Oakland.
Below is a photo of Mary and her two children Bobby and Marlene, most likely in front of their residence on 62th Avenue around 1940.
Mary Agnes RODRIGUES CALDWELL passed away on 17 October 1979.
This page was last updated on 28 July 2012