It has been said that if the roll were called of the men who have won
lasting fame as leaders of this grand republic, of those who have achieved
great things in the domains of science and commerce, we should be
wonderfully surprised to find how large a proportion of these men were
reared upon farms and shared in the arduous labors of the pioneer, clearing
the land and preparing it for cultivation, growing strong in body and mind,
while nourished by simple, wholesome country food and invigorated by the
clear pure Mr. Thus it is not strange, after all, nor is it remarkable, that
many return to mother nature and agriculture after a few years, more or
less, spent in the feverish pursuits of wealth and honor, realizing that
here alone is found true contentment.
William Callagan, one of the
progressive farmers of Adams township, LaSalle county, has never aspired to
a place in the busy world of commerce or public life, but has quietly and
happily attended to the business of cultivating his homestead and providing
for the needs of his little family. He is a son of William Callagan, who was
born in Ireland in 1820, of poor, but honest and upright parents. He learned
a trade, and in 1845 came to the United States. Upon coming to LaSalle
county he bought a tract of government land, and continued to improve and
cultivate the place during his life-time. His career was that of an
industrious, patriotic citizen, his chief ambition to do his duty in every
way and to merit the good opinion of those who knew him. In his political
convictions he was a stanch Republican. He died in 1896, and is survived by
his widow, whose maiden name was Jane Fleming, and by their three children,
namely: Mrs. Mary Hupp, of Northville township; Mrs. Annie Madison, and the
subject of this article.
The latter was born January 13, 1848, in
Adams township, and has spent his entire life here. His education consists
of the knowledge gained in the schools of this district, together with the
more practical learning of experience, reading and observation. Industry and
well applied energy are the secrets of the success he has won, and now in
the prime of life he is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of
valuable land in LaSalle county, and is accounted one of the leading
agriculturists of this locality. Amply abundant as are his means to support
himself and family for the remainder of his days, he is not a lover of
idleness, and has no desire to retire as long as he is blessed with health
and strength.
At the age of thirty-three years, December 27, 1881,
Mr. Callagan married Miss Eva, daughter of William Reed, of Sycamore,
Illinois, and they have had born to them four children, namely: Ralph Jason,
Rilla May, Lloyd Harrison and Cora Ann. Mr. Callagan and family are members
of the Methodist church, he being one of the trustees of the congregation
with which he is identified, and having served as superintendent of the
Sunday-school.
Extracted 19 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 586-587.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
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Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
