Jonathan W. CALLENDER

CALLENDER, GARDNER, BURKE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/3/2009 at 10:05:49

[Brother of E. M. Callender of Clarion, Iowa]

Rooks County Record, Kansas
ca. December 1932 - January 1933

Jonathan W. Callender, was born in Bradford, Luzerne County, Penn., on November 2nd, 1845 and died at Stockton, Kansas, December 27, 1932. He was the third son of J. F. Callender. In 1856, his parents moved to Chickasaw County, Iowa, where as pioneers they did their part in the early development of that state. J. W., as he was known by his friends, was educated in Upper Iowa University, a Methodist Episcopal Institution of Fayette, Iowa. After completing his education he taught school for a number of years in Iowa, ten of these years serving as Superintendent of Schools at Elgin, Iowa. He also acted as assistant County Superintendent of Schools in that county. On December 18, 1873 he was married to Sarah E. Gardner, and both he and his wife taught school for some years after their marriage. He moved to Stockton, Kans. in 1878, where he has resided continuously till the date of his death. Mrs. Callender preceded him to the world beyond on October 18, 1913. Mr. Callender was very prominent in business in his active years, and especially in the early history of Stockton and Rooks County. Many of the movements for the development and welfare of the town and country round about were given his earnest direction and help. For many rears he was a prominent merchant of Stockton. He held at times large real estate interests. He was one of the organizers of the Exchange Bank of Stockton, and was its president for a period of time in its early history. He bought the lots on which the Stockton National Bank now stands and built the building now used as a banking house. He served as Clerk of the District Court of Rooks County from 1881 to 1884, and held other important offices in the town and county, and was for years after he had retired from business Trustee of Stockton township. He was a charter member of Newahcuba Lodge No. 189 A. f. & A. M., Stockton: Solomon Valley Chapter No. 81 R. A. M. and the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Rebekahs. Many years ago he united with the Congregational church and until failing health prevented was a constant attendant upon its Sunday school and worship services.

Mr. and Mrs. Callender had no children of their own, but they loved children, and years ago a niece, Lydia Callender, lived with them, and later they adopted a girl, now Marguerite Burke, who has been staying with Mr. Callender and taking care of him for the past two years. One brother, Dr. W. B. Callender, came to Stockton after J. W. had been here for a number of years and was for many years a prominent physician, dying in February, 1919. He is survived by one brother, E. M. Callender of Clarion, Iowa, and his foster daughter, Marguerite.

This in brief is the story of the live of this friend and Neighbor, in whose memory many will ever cherish. He was permitted to live beyond the average years of man. He had witnessed the pioneer days and growth of two great stated. He had his part, and all was well. Wife, brothers and sisters preceded his beyond the shadows. for years he journeyed on alone to that horizon where the dusk is waiting for the night. He has left his community and friends the greatest heritage that man can bestow--the record of a long, good and wholesome life, and that of an honorable and useful citizen. He will be missed. The funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon at the Congregational church, with Rev. Gonzales, the pastor, in charge. Interment was in the Stockton cemetery. The various organizations of which he was a member were present and the Masonic Lodge had charge of the services at the grave.