Callender, William L.

CALLENDER, HOLLINGSWORTH, RICH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/15/2003 at 09:13:17

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

WILLIAM L. CALLENDER

Among the business men of Clinton whose success in life is due entirely to their own well-directed efforts is W. L. Callender, who was born in North Clinton on the 16th of August, 1859, and was a son of W. L. and Mary Woodbridge (Hollingsworth) Callender, both natives of Ohio, the former born in Hubbard, Trumbull county, of Scottish ancestry, the latter in Warren county, of Quaker descent. The Callender family was founded in the United States at an early day. About 1856 the father of our subject removed to Fulton, Illinois, and after residing there for a short time came to Lyons, Iowa. He followed school teaching in early life, and later conducted a hotel at Lyons for many years. He had charge of serving the people meals on the day Clinton was made a city. He died in 1895, when seventy-four years of age, and his wife departed this life in 1898, at the same age. They were the parents of five children, namely: Horace served through the Civil war as a member of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and later attended the military school at West Point. He served six years in the regular army, and was with Custer until a few days before the massacre in which that general was killed, when he was detailed for other work. He died in Clinton. Elliott belonged to an Illinois cavalry regiment during the Rebellion, and died in the army. E. H., who was a gunsmith of Clinton, died in 1880. W. L., our subject, is the next in order of birth. Effie is a milliner of California.

Mr. Callender, whose name introduces this review, passed his boyhood and youth in Lyons, and was educated in the high school of that place. In 1870 he began working with his brother at the gunsmith’s trade. He is also a locksmith and safe expert, and in the latter line does all the work in this locality. His shop and store are now located at 131 sixth avenue, and he is engaged in the manufacture of awnings, tents, etc., as well as repairing all kinds of electrical appliances and mechanical work of an intricate nature. He is considered the best in his line in Clinton, and does all the expert work for both the city and county. In his store he carries a well-selected stock of firearms, fishing tackle and sportsman’s supplies, as well as a full line of raw material for awnings and tents, which he makes to order. In 1880, when he began this business at the time of his brother’s death, his capital consisted of but thirty dollars, but owning to his industry, good management and perseverance he has steadily prospered and has built up a large and profitable business, which is gradually increasing.

In 1882 Mr. Callender was united in marriage with Miss Jennie E. Rich, of Lyons, a daughter of George A. Rich, who is still living at that place. They have three children, namely: Charles Lee, Mamie and Hazel. The son is a graduate of the grammar schools of Clinton, and is now engaged in business with his father. He is well known as a trap shot and all around sportsman and fisherman. The daughters are still in school.

Mr. Callender has always taken considerable interest in sports of all kinds, and for some time was one of the best target shots in this section of the state. Socially he is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of the World, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the Modern Brotherhood and the Knights and Ladies of the Golden Precept. His is president of the Modern Brotherhood and past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias lodge of Clinton.

Politically Mr. Callender has always affiliated with the Republican party, and has taken quite an active and influential part in local politics, serving as ward chairman for several years. He attends most of the county conventions of this party as a delegate, and has represented the Second ward of Clinton in the state conventions. He is now serving as alderman from his ward, which comprises the principal business and wealth of the city. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of his city and county.