Joseph Ira Caldwell, was born in Kansas and lived there on a farm until his mother, Julia, died when he was seven years old. At that time he went to live with his aunt, "Becca" (presumably Rebecca) in Pawnee City, Nebraska. That is where he graduated from High School. He briefly attended the University of Nebraska where he wanted to play football.
In 1922 he moved to California. His father was living in Mariposa, California and working for the railroad at that time. Joe did not stay in Mariposa, but moved to San Jose and ultimately took a job with the Winn Oil Company working as a traveling salesman selling oil products to gas stations and repair garages. He traveled throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.
It was in San Jose that he met Leota Mae Koehler, his future wife. Soon after their marriage the depression hit and he lost his job with Winn Oil Company. He took a job selling insurance for Triple A (American Automobile Association) early in the 1930s. About 1937 he left Triple A to start an independent insurance agency in San Jose. That was quite successful, and in 1939 they were able to build a new home in Saratoga where they raised their three children. His son, Jerry (Gerald Koehler Caldwell) joined him in the insurance agency in 1957. They worked together until Joe retired
in 1971.
Joe served for twenty years as the volunteer Clerk of the Saratoga Grammar School Board.
I worked with him for fourteen years and became very appreciative of his calm and gentle personality. I never saw him angry at any business situation. He always had the best interest of all parties as top priority. He was a great father and grandfather.The grandchildren called him Daddy Joe.
Joe's wife, Leota, died in 1982 and Joe passed away at his home in 1987.
I remember my uncle Joe with fond memories. The most memories I have is when I was younger than ten years old. He had just built a new home. My brother and I were visiting for a time and I helped my uncle with a sprinkler system he was installing in the backyard. Long before PVC pipe and glue. Uncle Joe's son Jerry and I were rolling an old tire down a hill. Someone gave me the all clear sign and I let the tire go, at the bottom of the hill a car came by and the tire hit the car in the driver's side door. We all ran and hid in the house up in the rafter's above the ceiling in a bed room. The car kept going and nothing ever happened to us.
Joseph is buried in the Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California. Plot: 78 E.#6
In 1922 he moved to California. His father was living in Mariposa, California and working for the railroad at that time. Joe did not stay in Mariposa, but moved to San Jose and ultimately took a job with the Winn Oil Company working as a traveling salesman selling oil products to gas stations and repair garages. He traveled throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.
It was in San Jose that he met Leota Mae Koehler, his future wife. Soon after their marriage the depression hit and he lost his job with Winn Oil Company. He took a job selling insurance for Triple A (American Automobile Association) early in the 1930s. About 1937 he left Triple A to start an independent insurance agency in San Jose. That was quite successful, and in 1939 they were able to build a new home in Saratoga where they raised their three children. His son, Jerry (Gerald Koehler Caldwell) joined him in the insurance agency in 1957. They worked together until Joe retired
in 1971.
Joe served for twenty years as the volunteer Clerk of the Saratoga Grammar School Board.
I worked with him for fourteen years and became very appreciative of his calm and gentle personality. I never saw him angry at any business situation. He always had the best interest of all parties as top priority. He was a great father and grandfather.The grandchildren called him Daddy Joe.
Joe's wife, Leota, died in 1982 and Joe passed away at his home in 1987.
I remember my uncle Joe with fond memories. The most memories I have is when I was younger than ten years old. He had just built a new home. My brother and I were visiting for a time and I helped my uncle with a sprinkler system he was installing in the backyard. Long before PVC pipe and glue. Uncle Joe's son Jerry and I were rolling an old tire down a hill. Someone gave me the all clear sign and I let the tire go, at the bottom of the hill a car came by and the tire hit the car in the driver's side door. We all ran and hid in the house up in the rafter's above the ceiling in a bed room. The car kept going and nothing ever happened to us.
Joseph is buried in the Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California. Plot: 78 E.#6
Joseph Ira Caldwell, was born in Kansas and lived there on a farm until his mother, Julia, died when he was seven years old. At that time he went to live with his aunt, "Becca" (presumably Rebecca) in Pawnee City, Nebraska. That is where he graduated from High School. He briefly attended the University of Nebraska where he wanted to play football.
In 1922 he moved to California. His father was living in Mariposa, California and working for the railroad at that time. Joe did not stay in Mariposa, but moved to San Jose and ultimately took a job with the Winn Oil Company working as a traveling salesman selling oil products to gas stations and repair garages. He traveled throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.
It was in San Jose that he met Leota Mae Koehler, his future wife. Soon after their marriage the depression hit and he lost his job with Winn Oil Company. He took a job selling insurance for Triple A (American Automobile Association) early in the 1930s. About 1937 he left Triple A to start an independent insurance agency in San Jose. That was quite successful, and in 1939 they were able to build a new home in Saratoga where they raised their three children. His son, Jerry (Gerald Koehler Caldwell) joined him in the insurance agency in 1957. They worked together until Joe retired
in 1971.
Joe served for twenty years as the volunteer Clerk of the Saratoga Grammar School Board.
I worked with him for fourteen years and became very appreciative of his calm and gentle personality. I never saw him angry at any business situation. He always had the best interest of all parties as top priority. He was a great father and grandfather.The grandchildren called him Daddy Joe.
Joe's wife, Leota, died in 1982 and Joe passed away at his home in 1987.
I remember my uncle Joe with fond memories. The most memories I have is when I was younger than ten years old. He had just built a new home. My brother and I were visiting for a time and I helped my uncle with a sprinkler system he was installing in the backyard. Long before PVC pipe and glue. Uncle Joe's son Jerry and I were rolling an old tire down a hill. Someone gave me the all clear sign and I let the tire go, at the bottom of the hill a car came by and the tire hit the car in the driver's side door. We all ran and hid in the house up in the rafter's above the ceiling in a bed room. The car kept going and nothing ever happened to us.
Joseph is buried in the Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California. Plot: 78 E.#6
In 1922 he moved to California. His father was living in Mariposa, California and working for the railroad at that time. Joe did not stay in Mariposa, but moved to San Jose and ultimately took a job with the Winn Oil Company working as a traveling salesman selling oil products to gas stations and repair garages. He traveled throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.
It was in San Jose that he met Leota Mae Koehler, his future wife. Soon after their marriage the depression hit and he lost his job with Winn Oil Company. He took a job selling insurance for Triple A (American Automobile Association) early in the 1930s. About 1937 he left Triple A to start an independent insurance agency in San Jose. That was quite successful, and in 1939 they were able to build a new home in Saratoga where they raised their three children. His son, Jerry (Gerald Koehler Caldwell) joined him in the insurance agency in 1957. They worked together until Joe retired
in 1971.
Joe served for twenty years as the volunteer Clerk of the Saratoga Grammar School Board.
I worked with him for fourteen years and became very appreciative of his calm and gentle personality. I never saw him angry at any business situation. He always had the best interest of all parties as top priority. He was a great father and grandfather.The grandchildren called him Daddy Joe.
Joe's wife, Leota, died in 1982 and Joe passed away at his home in 1987.
I remember my uncle Joe with fond memories. The most memories I have is when I was younger than ten years old. He had just built a new home. My brother and I were visiting for a time and I helped my uncle with a sprinkler system he was installing in the backyard. Long before PVC pipe and glue. Uncle Joe's son Jerry and I were rolling an old tire down a hill. Someone gave me the all clear sign and I let the tire go, at the bottom of the hill a car came by and the tire hit the car in the driver's side door. We all ran and hid in the house up in the rafter's above the ceiling in a bed room. The car kept going and nothing ever happened to us.
Joseph is buried in the Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California. Plot: 78 E.#6
