Bio: Callon, William (1833 - 1894)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Callon, Atchison, Spencer,

----Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913.

Gallon, William (24 February 1833 - 1894)

WILLIAM CALLON, whose death occurred at Wausau, Wis., in 1894, was one of the best known men of Northern Wisconsin and for many years was prominent in the lumber industry. He was born in County Armaugh, Ireland, February 24, 1833, and came alone to America, arriving in the United States. June 10, 1849.

During his first year William Callon lived in Susquehanna County, Pa., and then went to Clearfield. Pa., finding plenty of hard work in the lumbering districts, and after two years there located in Cattaraugus County, N. Y. In October, 1854, he moved from there to Stevens Point, Wis., and there engaged in logging and lumbering for three years and then came on to Schofield, and from there to Wausau in 1874, in which year he erected a comfortable residence at No. 634 Grand Avenue, which was one of the first houses built in that section of Wausau. Lumbering in all its phases continued to be his business although he engaged to some extent also in farming in the town of Weston, Marathon County, and was a member of the town board. He was a man of energy and of sterling integrity and his honesty and capacity were recognized by his appointment as receiver in the U. S. Land Office at Wausau. For some years prior to his death he had lived retired from business cares.  

In August, 1854, William Callon was married at Lumberville, Clearfield County, Pa., to Miss Nancy Atchison, who was born at Burnside, Clearfield County, January 22, 1834, and died at Wausau when almost seventy-seven years old. They had two children: William A. and Jennie, both of whom were born at Schofield, Wis. The latter is the wife of Dr. L. E. Spencer. Mrs. Callon was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In all the trials and hardships of early married life she was a cheerful and helpful wife, became a devoted mother and was held in esteem and affection by all who knew her in later years.

Callon, William (1881)

(Source: The History of Northern Wisconsin (Marathon County, Wis.) 1881, pages 557-558)

William Callon, Wausau, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, Feb. 24, 1833, and came to America alone, arriving June 10, 1849. He was in Susquehanna Co., Pa., one year; in Clearfield Co., Pa., two years; then in Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., until October, 1854, when he came to Stevens Point, where he was engaged in lumbering for three years. In 1857, he came to Wausau, and has since been engaged in manufacturing and dealing in lumber, and to some extent farming. Mr. Callon has been a member of the Town Board of Weston, and is now Receiver in the United States Land Office. He was married in Lumberville, Clearfield Co., Pa., in August, 1854, to Nancy Atcharson; who was born in the town of Burnside, Clearfield Co., Pa. They have two children, Mary Jennie and William A. Mr. Callon is a member of the A.F. & A.M., and K. of H.

William Callon was born in County Armagh, Ireland on February 24, 1833, son of John and Mary Callon, was left motherless at age three, and immigrated to America at age 18. After arriving in America, he lived for five years in Pennsylvania, then in 1854, headed west and settled at Stevens Point. Three years later he moved to Wausau and immediately became involved in his life's work of lumbering. Mr. Callon deserves much credit for his invaluable efforts in developing the great resources of northern Wisconsin.

On March 1, 1854 he was married at Lumberville, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania to Miss Nancy Atchison, daughter of George and Margaret Atchison. Their marriage produced three children.

During the administration of President Hayes, William Callon was appointed receiver of the United States Land Office at Wausau, but because of the demands of his lumber business, Mr. Callon was forced to resign. In 1884 he retired from active business life. He was a member of the F. & A.M. lodge.

William Callon died on March 4, 1894. He is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau, WI.