James L. Callaway, one of the well known citizens and
prominent farmers of Gillespie township, Macoupin County, the owner of a
well improved farm of 130 acres situated in section 18, was born on a farm
in Randolph township, Jersey County, Illinois, March 14, 1846, and is a son
of George W. and Elizabeth Ann (Smith) Callaway.
George W. Callaway
was born in Giles County, West Virginia, February 4, 1810, and removed to
Jersey County, Illinois, in 1837, as a pioneer, and died in the home of our
subject in 1893. His father was American born, his mother was a German and
he was one of a large family of sons and was left on orphan at an early age.
He engaged in farming all his life, and although he never accumulated a
large estate, he was a man of great industry and of the most exemplary
character. For many years he was a local preacher and filled many pulpits of
the Methodist Church in Missouri and Illinois. Early in life he was a
supporter of the Jacksonian principles of Democracy, but later became a
Republican.
George W. Callaway married first Keziah Ray and five
daughters were born to this marriage. His second marriage was to Elizabeth
Ann Smith who was born in Scioto County, Ohio, February 2, 1820, and 14
children were born to them, 11 of whom survived infancy: Mrs. Sarah Van
Cleve of Olney, Illinois; Mrs. Mary F. Kelley, deceased; Melvin, who died in
April, 1903; James L., of this sketch; Mrs. Olive Cramp, of Macoupin County;
John D., of Milton, Kansas; Daniel, deceased; George, of Macoupin County;
Mrs. Ann Burdsal, of Gillespie; Mrs. Antoinette Perrine, deceased; and Mrs.
Kate Hackney, deceased.
Our subject was about seven years of age
when his parents came to Macoupin County and he has been a resident here
ever since. Since 1878 he has been located on his present farm, 50 acres of
which is in timber, and here he has most successfully engaged in general
farming and stock raising. He makes his leading crops corn and wheat, and in
live stock has a preference for Red Polled cattle and Poland-China and
Berkshire hogs.
When Mr. Callaway came to his present farm, it was
still a wild tract, covered with brush and timber. His first log house was
soon succeeded by a larger and more comfortable one, and the improvements
which he started in to make he has continued to the present day, the result
being one of the most comfortable, attractive and valuable homes of the
township.
In 1870 Mr. Callaway married Emily Dewhirst, who was born
in Dekalb County, Illinois, November 24, 1849, and died February 14, 1902.
She was a daughter of George and Judith Dewhirst, natives of England and
Canada respectively, who located in Illinois. Five children were born to
them, namely: Elizabeth, her father's capable housekeeper; Leroy, deceased;
Charles M., a farmer of Montgomery County; Minnie, wife of Noel Taylor of
Granite City, Illinois; and James, who lives at home.
In politics
Mr. Callaway is identified with the Republican party. For many years he has
been a member of the Methodist Church.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 228-229.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022