Daniel Callahan
When Dennis Callahan died in
Ireland, in 1861, the world looked blue to his widow and her two little
boys. Being poor in the extreme, with no powerful friends to draw upon,
slim chances of employment in her native country, her mind naturally reverted to
the great republic across the sea. Many another Irish widow had taken
heart of hope out of the promises wafted over by friends in this country, and
Mrs. Callahan, not knowing what else to do, decided on the long and, to her,
very exhaustive journey to the New World. So she boarded ship with Daniel
and Dennis, as it were, tucked under each wing, shipped with the steerage, among
a lot of other woe-begone emigrants and with a sinking heart, heard the throbs
of the great ship's machinery as it started the vessel on its tempestuous way. Indirectly,
the vessel reached the dock in New York harbor, the poor Irish widow went
ashore, with her helpless charge and then began in earnest what the poets call
"the journey of life."
Daniel Callahan,
the oldest of the two boys, was born at Cork, Ireland, 1852, and was one of
those bright lads whose shining faces give promise of success. He remained
in New York with his mother for about one year, when steps were taken to find
him a home in the West. Accordingly, he was brought to Shelby county,
where he was taken in and kindly cared for by the family of Conrad Kuhn.
They saw that he attended school, kept out of mischief and acquired habits
of industry as he grew up. Daniel was an apt pupil, a well-behaved boy and
got a fair education for his time by diligence in the public schools in Union
township. He lived with Conrad Kuhn until twenty-five years of age, when
he began casting around to make a start in life for himself. His first
important step was marriage with Mary, daughter of Valentine
Posz, by whom he had four children. Bert, the oldest, married Flora
Haehl; Kate became the wife of George Kuhn;
Nora married John R. Haehl and Annie
remains at home.
After marriage Mr.
Callahan took charge of a farm in Liberty township, which proved to be a
permanent home, as he has lived on his present place for twenty-seven
years. He spent five years in Rush county, but soon returned to his first
locality, and practically, Liberty township has been his home for thirty
years. Though not a member of church, Mr. Callahan has always been a
liberal contributor, as indeed, he is to all good causes. His family are
members of the German Protestant church and if these need help in their
operations, "father" is usually found willing to unbend. Thirty
years ago Mr. Callahan joined the Red Men, at Manilla, and has been a paying
member ever since, though he is at present connected with the lodge at
Shelbyville. He can strictly be called a self-made man, as every dollar he
has in the world was earned by himself, since he was left an orphan child in
Ireland.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, by Edward H. Chadwick, B.A., assisted by well known local talent, 1909, pages
675-76.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming for Christal
Callahan Culp
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