Caleb Capps, who was born in Winchester, Clarke county, Kentucky, a son
of John and Sally (Gilmer) Capps, is a representative, on both the paternal
and maternal side, of families which have been established in America since
early colonial days, the lines of descent including men who have been
prominent in the early history of the United States. The Gilmer family dates
its existence in America since 1700, in which year George Gilmer landed in
Virginia and there established his home. The grandfather of Mrs. Sally
(Gilmer) Capps came to this country from Scotland. Dr. John Gilmer was one
of the eminent ancestors, and many representatives of the name were
governors and high officials in early days. The Capps came from England to
this country prior to the Revolutionary war and several of the name
participated in the fight for independence. Caleb Capps, the paternal
grandfather of our subject, was a farmer of North Carolina, passing away
when his son John was two years of age. The parents of our subject were
natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively. The father, a carpenter
by trade, came to Illinois in 1832, remaining in this state for seven years,
after which he removed to Kentucky and there passed away in 1844. Prior to
his marriage he had entered land from the government in Macoupin and Greene
counties, the deeds for which, signed by President Van Buren, are now in
possession of our subject.
Caleb Capps, whose name introduces this
review, was but four years of age when he came to Illinois, the family home
being established in Adams county, near Quincy, and in 1848 he arrived in
Macoupin county. In the common schools of this state he acquired his
preliminary training and later he attended the preparatory school at
Jacksonville. After laying aside his text-books he began working at the
machinist’s trade, which he followed until twenty-one years of age. He then
became identified with agricultural work and for almost fifty years was
connected with farming interests in Macoupin county, his efforts being
attended with gratifying results. He engaged extensively in stock-raising,
making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, and fed a large number of sheep and
hogs for the market. This line of activity also proved a paying proposition,
and when he withdrew from agricultural pursuits he was able to retire with a
most satisfactory competency. He now makes his home in Palmyra where, being
comfortably situated in life, he is enjoying well earned rest which has been
secured through his intelligently directed activity in former years. He
still retains possession of his farming property, amounting to two hundred
and eighty acres of valuable land in Macoupin county, and is also the owner
of good city property.
The only interruption which came to break the
routine of an active and busy farm life occurred at the time of the Civil
war when, responding to the country’s call for volunteers, Mr. Capps
enlisted as a private of Company A, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer
Infantry. He served with that command in its various engagements,
participating in Sherman’s campaign through Georgia, and was also present at
the surrender of General Johnson.
Mr. Capps was married, on the 3d
of January, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Maxfield, a daughter of Robert and Sarah
(Petefish) Maxfield, natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. They
were farming people who located at an early day in Macoupin county, where
both passed away. Mr. Capps’ fraternal relations are with the Masonic order,
he being a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. 463, A. F. & A. M. He was the first
master of the lodge and for many years the youngest in the state of
Illinois. He has already passed the Psalmist’s allotted span of three score
years and ten, and spends his declining years in comfort amid the regard of
friends who recognize his worth and justly account him one of the
representative citizens of the county within whose borders he has so long
lived and labored.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 96-97.
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