Ray Von Caldwell oral history interview

Ray Von Caldwell lives in the Caldwell Township of Catawba County in the Balls Creek area. In this interview 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 has acquired over sixty-three acres from deceased ancestors over the years and continues to expand his farm area by acquiring more land. His passion farming has resulted in his strong involvement in county planning and land preservation. In addition to farming, Mr. Caldwell has taught biology, worked on the planning board for the county and volunteered for the Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church as a music and choir director. His insight into the history of the Balls Creek area and his family ancestry provide useful historical information about the evolution of land use over time.