History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, 
from U. S. Gov't Survey to Present Time, with Biographical Sketches
Dessureau. Antigo, WI: Berner Brothers, 1922, p 308
Submitted by Cathy Kubly

John F. CALLAHAN, railroad leader and County Treasurer [for Langlade County, Wisconsin], was born 24 January 1876 at Fond du Lac [Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin], son of Mr. and Mrs. Terrance CALLAHAN.  When a lad of five he moved to Antigo with his parents, and here he attended the public and parochial schools.  At the age of sixteen [he would have been sixteen from 24 January 1892 to 24 January 1893] he began his railroading career by obtaining employment in the round house of the old Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company.  [The M., L. S. & W. R. R. was founded in 1872.]  He rose to the rank of fireman and then engineer.  From 1901 to 13 February 1903 he served as an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.  [The M., L. S. & W. was purchased by the C. & N. W. Railway Company in 1893.  Thus his employment in some capacity by the C. & N. W. probably dates from before 1901.  The foregoing statement only says that he was employed "as an engineer" from 1901.  The possibility does exist, however, that John F. CALLAHAN was employed elsewhere from 1893, when the M., L. S. & W. ceased to exist, until 1901, when he became an engineer with the C. & N. W.]  He was then injured permanently in an accident [railroad accident] rendering his left leg practically useless, while performing his duty.

John F. CALLAHAN then, upon the request of many friends, became a candidate for [Langlade] County Treasurer and was elected in the fall of 1914 [elected in the fall of 1913 and took office in January of 1914?].  He was re-elected in 1916, 1918, 1920, and 1922.  [Submitter questions if the author meant Mr. CALLAHAN was re-elected in November of the years prior to those listed, and took office during January of the years given.]  Mr. CALLAHAN is a Democrat in politics.

Mr. [John F.] CALLAHAN was married to Catherine REINDL, Antigo, Wisconsin, 23 April 1891.  [Did the marriage occur in Antigo, or does the author mean the bride was from Antigo?].  Five children bless this union:  Margaret [born 21 April 1902?], Catherine [Catherine R.? born 30 August 1904?], John Jr. [born 25 July 1906?], Francis, and Gerald.  [Possible birthdates in brackets are from Index of pre-1907 Wisconsin Births.]

Mr. CALLAHAN is an active member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of which he has been Secretary-Treasurer of Langlade Division No. 536 for four years.  He is a member of the Catholic Foresters, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, and Equitable Fraternal Union lodges.  The CALLAHAN family reside at 428 Dorr Street [Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin].