In 1855 the inhabitants of Morrisania village, unwilling to remain longer a part of the town of West Farms, resolved to form a separate township, which was done in the same year. Of the new town, Gouverneur Morris was, in 1856, the first supervisor, and was succeeded the next year by Mr. Cauldwell, who held the office for fifteen terras, and up to the time (1874) when the town was annexed to the city of New Y'ork.

For twelve years Mr. Cauldwell was also a member of the Board of Education of the town of Morrisania, and was chosen chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Westchester County in 1866, and held the same position in 1868 and 1869. In 1867 the Board of Supervisors were equally divided between the Democratic and Republican parties. Mr. Cauldwell received the Democratic nomination for chairman, having for his competitor ex-Senator Hezekiali D. Robertson. After one hundred and eleven ballots had been taken, the opposing candidates withdrew, and united upon Abraham Hatfield, an old and respected citizen of Westchester, as presiding officer for that year. The handsome gold mounted gavels which were presented to Mr. Cauldwell as testimonials of his service as chairman of the board, are highly prized by him. His first appearance in active politics was in 1856, at which time he was an ardent worker to secure the election of .Tames Buchanan, for President, and .John B. Haskin for Congress, and in 1858 took a prominent part in the re-election of Mr. Haskin. In 1863 he was instrumental in procuring the passage of an act authorizing the construction of a hoi-se railway for Morrisania and West Farms, an enter|)rise which was rapidly pushed to completion, and since its organization has been treasurer of the company. In 1867 the question of rapid transit began to attract public atten-