Another of the old and
well known citizens of this place has gone from amongst us. Thomas
Callen died at his home on race street, Friday at about 4 p.m. after a
brief illness of pneumonia, aged about 74 years. Deceased was a native
of Raphoe, Donegal county, Ireland. He came to this country in 1832.
The first winter he spent among relatives a few miles north of this
place, and then went to Pittsburgh and remained there a year or two,
and returned to this place, and in company with his brother John who
had by this time arrived in this country, entered into the mercantile
business under the firm name of J. & T. Callen, the store being for
several years on the corner now occupied by Bacher, Benninghuff &
Co. About this time the canal was in process of construction through
this neighborhood. When it was completed Thos. Callen was one of the
first to engage in boating, which business he continued in connection
with a boat store in this place for many years, amassing considerable
of a fortune. Later, when boating became less profitative, deceased
retired from the business and purchased the Christy farm just South of
town and for several years resided upon it, after which he returned to
town, and again took up his residence on Race street, where he
continued to reside until the time of his death.
About 1838
deceased married Nancy Christy, a daughter of john Christy, Esq., then
a well known citizen of this place. Mrs. Callen died some four years
ago. The family left behind consists of five sons and two daughters.
One of the daughters, Mrs. Samuel Gardner, and one of the sons, James,
reside in Jamestown. The others all reside in this place. The oldest
son, David, died in California about 18 years ago.
Thomas
Callen in his younger days was an active, energetic man, and was always
a kind hearted neighbor and friend. He was a member of the Presbyterian
church of this place at the time of his death. The funeral services
were conducted by Rev. O. V. Stewart, assisted by Rev. S. H. Eisenberg,
on sabbath at 2 p.m. , a very large number of our citizens being in
attendance..
Source: The Record-Argus (Greenville, Pennsylvania) 05 May 1887, Thu., pg. 3
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