In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1895) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1839
From The history of Hardin county, Ohio (1883), Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio (1895)
JOHN CALLAM, manufacturer and merchant, Kenton, was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1839. His father, Peter Callam, was a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and settled in Toronto on his migration to the American shores. He is at this time a resident of Saginaw, Mich. The subject of this sketch came to Kenton in 1874, and established the “ Michigan Lumber Yard,” purchasing the old Ferney Planing Mill, a landmark of early times. This building he moved, using it for shed room, and erected on the same site the present building, which is 65x120 feet, and is three stories in height. The dry kiln and holding shed is 50x100 feet and two stories high. The capacity of the mill is 40,000 feet a day, employing a force of from thirty to thirty-five men. Mr. Callam manufactures shingles, lath, doors, sash, blinds, holdings, brackets, stair rails, posts and balusters, besides dealing in salt, lime, plaster, cement and all kinds of coal. Adjoining his manufactory is an extensive tract of land connected with the purchase, a portion of which is covered with lumber of all descriptions suitable for his work, and a large number of dwellings mostly occupied by the men in his employ. Mr. Callam is a man of large experience in this business, and was for years connected with his brother in Saginaw, Mich., and his entry among the manufacturers of Kenton created one of the most extensive interests in this city. He was married, in Saginaw, Mich., in 1870, to Miss Isabella J. Reid, a native of Bulfalo, to which union there have been born four children, all living, viz., Nellie J., George A., Hattie B. and Bessie. Mr. Callam is one of the Directors of the water works, and is an active, enterprising business man of Kenton.
As printed in The history of Hardin county, Ohio (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
OHN CALLAM is the proprietor of the Michigan Lumber Company, of Kenton, his yards being the largest of the kind in central Ohio. He was born in Toronto, Canada, January 14, 1839. His father, Peter Callam, who was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was by trade a carpenter and builder. He possessed a good education, and after coming to America in 1830 settled at Toronto, Canada, where he contracted for some of the largest buildings in that city, and was also the builder of the Wellington Locks. He afterward went to Hamilton, Ontario, and later to Saginaw, Mich., where he engaged in the lumber business and became very wealthy. He died in February, 1892, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and served as Elder in the congregation to which he belonged.
Mrs. Mary (Miclia) Callam was also born in Scotland, and after coming to America accompanied her husband on his various removals, dying, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, in Michigan. She reared a family of five sons and two daughters. The eldest, Peter, is residing on a farm in Clare County, Mich., and is well-to-do. Jane married James Lee, formerly a woolen manufacturer in Canada, who later went to Saginaw, Mich. where his death occurred in 1892, his wife following him to the land beyond two or three days later. They left a family of nine children. William, the second son, is now living retired from business in Saginaw, having made a fortune out of the lumber trade. James was less fortunate in a financial way than the other brothers, and is now in the employ of our subject. Charles was the owner of a grocery in Mackinaw, Mich., at the time of his decease, in February, 1890. Mary married William J. Calkins, who was formerly in the lumber business, but at present is the proprietor of a hotel at Clare, Mich.
Our subject was but three years of age when the parental family left Toronto for Hamilton. He was reared and educated in the schools of the latter city, after which he worked for his father in the lumber-yards for five years, when he started out to work for himself. He first went into the lumber camps at Big Creek, where the men were engaged in getting out large timbers to be used for ship-mass. In this branch of the business he was employed for three years, when he, with several other members of his family, including his father, started a large sawmill. This enterprise was carried on very profitably for eight years, when John, together with his brother William, crossed the line into the United States, becoming interested extensively in the lumber trade at Saginaw, Mich. They owned mills and ran camps, and also speculated to some extent in pine lands. As each made a handsome fortune, it is unnecessary to say they were prospered in this undertaking.
In 1874 our subject came to Kenton and established the Michigan Lumber Company, which has since grown to great proportions. In addition to his large yards, he owns and operates an extensive planing-mill, and a large sash, door and blind factory, where an army of men is employed. Mr. Callam is the possessor of considerable valuable real estate in the city, occupying one of the finest residences on North Main Street, besides several farms in the surrounding country.
Ten years ago our subject took in as a partner D. E. Bolton, who first entered his employ as a poor boy, but by strict attention to business and the assistance which Mr. Cal lam gave him, he is now worth $25,000,- and is justly rated as one of the substantial citizens of this community. Among the many splendid characteristics of our subject as a successful business man is one which it would do well if more would imitate, that is never to let a bill go unpaid a single day after it is due. He is one of the Trustees of the water works, and has been a member of the City Council. Although he has now reached a point where it is unnecessary for him to work, y-et he may be found any day employed about his large plant. Indeed, we doubt if he would be happy unless occupied, for he has made the one word “work” the motto of his life, and it has now become a part of his very being.
Mr. Callam was married at Saginaw, in 1872, to Miss Isabella Reaid, formerly of Buffalo, N. Y. There have been born to them three daughters and one son. Nellie J. is now the wife of John Zugswerth, a clothing merchant of Polo, Ill.; George completed his education in the Orchard Lake College; and Hattie and Bessie are still students in the home schools. In politics Mr. Callam is a Republican, and greatly interested in the success of his party, although he has never had time to hold office, his extensive interests consuming his entire time.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.