John & Mary (Foley) Callahan

FOLEY, CALLAHAN, LOOMIS

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 3/15/2020 at 18:47:30

John Callahan was born Jan. 20, 1820 in Co. Cork, Ireland. There he was educated and in the spring of 1847 sailed for America. John Landed in New York on July 4, but continued on to New Orleans before beginning his venture in the new land. Mr. Callahan went to Louisville, Kentucky where he met and married Miss Mary Foley in 1852. That same year the Callahan’s came west to Dubuque Co. They farmed northwest of Farley until 1894 when they retired to town. Mary Callahan died April 20, 1905. John Callahan passed way in Oct. of 1907, being buried by his wife at St. Clements, Bankston. The Callahan’s had seven sons and three daughters.

Callahan ran a saloon in Farley. This business was located east of our present bank. This two story building had two fires, one in 1908 and another in 1910, but continued in business. This was a regular meeting place in town.

John also operated the Loomis Hotel in the early 1900’s. He won the election for County supervisor in Dubuque County in November 1895.

The History of Farley, Welu Publishing, Copyright, 1996.