John J Callahan

CALLAHAN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/22/2010 at 20:12:00

John J Callahan has held for several years a position of trust with the Woodward Creamery Company of Woodward, Iowa, and is also engaged in buying and selling real estate. He, moreover, has improved several lots and also owns valuable farm of 160 acres in Winnebago county, it being under high cultivation and improved with substantial buildings.
Mr Callahan was born in Morgan county, Illinois, August 1, 1864, and hen but five weeks of age removed with his family to Missouri. His parents were Edward and Jane (Woodrow) Callahan, the former born in Scotland. The father was a coal miner and engaged in that work in Missouri until 1867, when the family came to Boonesboro, Boone county, Iowa, in the same year in which the Northwestern railroad was completed to Boone, and have been residents of this locality ever since. They removed to where the present Boone viaduct is now located, and in 1869 we find the family settled in Peoples township, the parents being numbered among the most highly respected residents of the neighborhood. The parents both died in that township, the mother passing away January 5, 1911. To them were born six children, as follows: Mrs Belle Ottaway, residing in Kiowa county, Kansas, John J of this review, Mrs Jean Lemaster, of Peoples township, Edward W residing in Woodward, and Allen and May, both deceased. The three youngest were born in Peoples township and all were reared there and attended the common schools.
John J Callahan had limited educational opportunities, his parents being in stringent circumstances. He early turned his attention to farm work and stock raising, being employed by other at the beginning of his business career. His first earnings for half a month’s work totaled six dollars and twenty-five cents and Mr Callahan relates how he secured the greatest benefit form that sum by dividing it with those at home. He was happy in being able to send something to his parents and the kindness of heart which prompted that act has ever since remained his heritage. From 1893 until 1902 he followed farming in Peoples township, also giving considerable attention to stock raising. He then spent five years on a farm in North Dakota and the next three years engaged in mining in western Idaho. He has traveled extensively and on three occasions has made the trip to the Pacific coast. He also has traversed this country from Canada to the gulf. Mr Callahan is now numbered among the substantial residents of Woodward and there is none who grudges him his prosperity, for it has been won entirely by his own efforts.
On March 1, 1893, Mr Callahan was married in Woodward, Iowa, to Miss Minnie E Wade, who was born in Peoples township July 14, 1866. Her father, Washington Wade was one of the pioneer settlers of Cass township (now Peoples township) of whom extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of A B Wade. Mr and Mrs Callahan have one daughter, Winifred Imogene, who was born on the old Callahan homestead in Peoples township June 27, 1896 and is now attending the Woodward high school.
Since 1911 the family have been residents of Woodward, having returned from Idaho in that year, and Mr Callahan now holds a position with the Woodward Creamery Company. He also deals in real estate and has negotiated some profitable deals. He derives a gratifying addition to his income form 160 acres of land which he owns in Winnebago county. The family reside in a handsome home n Woodward and have many fiends in that city. Politically Mr Callahan is a democrat and fraternally a member of Woodward Lodge No 460, I O O F. He is a useful citizen, a true and faithful friend, a reliable business and an a patriotic American and has made a record which reflects honor upon him.

1914 Boone County History Book