Ray Von Caldwell oral history interview, 2002 October 18
Description
Ray Von Caldwell lives in the Caldwell Township of Catawba County in the Balls Creek area. Mr. Caldwell discusses his ancestry, a book he has written about the Caldwell family and a project to catalog the gravestone inscriptions at Mt. Ruhama Church. His family has farmed in the Balls Creek area for generations and Mr. Caldwell carries on this family tradition. As a farmer, Mr. Caldwell discusses the many challenges of farming such as drought and insects. He explains his use of pesticides to control the boll weevil, weeds and the rye grass. Mr. Caldwell describes having acquired over sixty-three acres over the years and continues to expand his farm area by acquiring more land. Mr. Caldwell also discusses his other occupations and volunteer work, including teaching biology and botany, working on the planning board for the county and volunteering for the Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church as a music and choir director.
