Thomas Callahan died 1941

CALLAHAN, GARIN, WETZEL, HART, MAHONEY, ALIESCH

Posted By: Ann Krumme (email)
Date: 4/6/2008 at 19:56:26

Thomas Callahan Dies Suddenly
This community was shocked and saddened Sunday, February 16, when it was learned that Thomas Callahan had been found dead in the bedroom of the family home near Thompson’s Corner, when others of the family went to call him to get ready to attend Mass at Paint Rock. Death had evidently occurred several hours previous and was doubtless caused by a heart attack. He had been in his usual health the day previous and had made a trip to Lansing, where many friends met him, and could therefore scarcely believe the news of his sudden passing.

“Tom” Callahan was born in Lafayette township nearly 80 years ago and spent his entire life time there on the old home farm. He was the oldest son of Patrick and Johanna Garin Callahan, early day pioneers, long since gone to their reward. Also proceeding him in death were three sisters, Mary, Anna and Kate, and two brothers, Henry and Michael.

Surviving are two brothers, Edward at home; and Neal, at Duluth, Minn.; and one sister, Mrs. Otto Wetzel (Frances) at home. Three nephews, Leo, Vincent and Elmer Callahan of Lafayette; and three nieces, Mrs. Sherman Hart and Mrs. Joe Mahoney, Waukon; and Mrs. Joe Aliesch, La Crosse; comprise the immediate family circle. Mr. Callahan never married, but spent his life on the farm which he loved so well.

While the deceased assisted others of the family in farming and stock operations, he also devoted much of the fall season to his threshing operations, which he conducted many years. He was an expert in this work and his service was always in demand by neighbors and friends--his machine always having more work than it could handle. Thus he formed a wide circle of acquaintances, who will read of his death with sincere sorrow. Years ago, when his threshing seasons were over, Tom would come to Lansing and spend weeks at the old Dudley Hotel, enjoying the change and the companionship of many local friends.

“Tom” Callahan was a real type of the Irish gentleman in this country. His word was as good as his bond and in all his dealings he was honest to the last penny. As a neighbor and friend, he was generous, kind, and charitable and will be missed by many. But the loss of a truly loving brother falls heaviest upon the sister and brother at home, and this paper joins a host of friends in extending sympathy to them in their sudden bereavement.

A life long Catholic, his funeral was held this (Wednesday) morning at St. Joseph’s church, Paint Rock. The pastor, Rev. Father John Costelloe, sang the Requiem Mass and officiated at the graveside in the cemetery, where interment was made in the family lot beside his loved ones gone before.

Casket Bearers were Messers. Dom Brazell, Lester Garin, John Corcoran, Elmer Callahan, Leo Mathis and Bernard Houlihan.

~Allamakee Journal and Lansing Mirror, February 19, 1941