The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
October 8, 1919
Page 4
Columns 1 & 2WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Popular Webster Couple Observe
Their Thirty-fifth Wedding
Anniversary with Friends
and NeighborsThursday, September 24, 1884, was a lovely autumn day. All nature seemed to smile in happy unison, but in the "house on the hill" at the west end of the little city of Webster, owned at that time by the late Mrs. Mary J. Reed, there was a scene being enacted that for happy smiles, far outshone the beauties of nature, for here at the hour of 10 o'clock a. m. was the marriage of the youngest daughter of the family, Miss Ada H. Reed and Mr. A. L. Callihan, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Callihan of this city, being solemnized by the Rev. Mr. Covert, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Fountain Green.
The ceremony ended and congratulations being over, the happy young couple left at once for Colchester, to take the train for Avon, Ill., whither they went to spend the first week of their happy honeymoon. The trip to the train was made in a carriage, accompanied by the bride's oldest brother, Stephen Reed, long since gone to his reward, and Miss Hattie Howd, now Mrs. Frank Emerson, of Canon City, Colo.
The bride was a native of Vermont, Ill., but the groom was born here. Both bride and groom grew to years of maturity in this town, as she was but six years old when her parents moved here. So this little village has always since that time, been their home.
After a few years they purchased the home where they now reside. Here is where their children, one son, Chester, and one daughter, now Mrs. Agnes Spangler, grew to manhood and womanhood. It might be said right here is where they've spent the happiest twenty-three years of their lives. But one cannot have all sunshine and no shadow, for the poet wisely has said:
"Had earth no thorns amongst its
flowers,
And life no fount of tears,
We might forget that better home
Beyond this vale of tears."However, no shadow dimmed their sky until about five years ago, when the wife, the mother, was stricken with diabetes, which necessitated the amputation of her left limb. We shall not attempt to describe these years of patient suffering. No pen picture is needed to tell to all who have visited her, that she has made the best of her sad lot, to the best of her ability, always trusting, never halting, ever waiting His command. It was during these long years when friends from far and near visited her, often leaving tokens of love to cheer her, that she at last, came to a happy conclusion that it would give her great delight to reward those who had been so kind, and there was no better way than to invite as many as possible to help celebrate their wedding anniversary, now approaching. Accordingly invitations were issued to which just 127 responded, all told.
They came in autos, in buggies and on foot, until the house and the grounds around it resembled one busy hive during a big swarm. They came with well-filled baskets from every town and country round, within a radius of ten miles and some even farther, and were spread upon the long table beneath the old locust trees, it was a sight to behold. Everything eatable one could think of, was to be found.
The bride and groom of thirty-five years were seated near the center of the table with thirty-four other relatives and friends around them. Just in front of the couple was a lovely bride's cake, on top of which was thirty-five small candles, also an angel food cake, bearing the dates in red-- 1884-1919, Sept. 24th, and decorated with a wreath of purple lilies of the Nile. The bride's cake was presented by one of their nieces from Bushnell; the angel food by a friend.
After this feast was devoured it would seem incredible that any one could eat again, that day, and yet, when at 4 o'clock, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Callihan, the son and daughter-in-law, brought forth that ten gallon freezer of delicious ice cream, and that elegant display of cakes of every kind, it was a temptation too great to resist. How weak is man!
Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hobart, who has just arrived from Pueblo, Colo., and whose sixth wedding anniversary it also happened to be, were among the happy guests. In all that vast crowd there were seven guests present who also witnessed the marriage ceremony.
It was a gathering never to be forgotten by all present, on account of the good fellowship which existed throughout the day. No formality -- all that was cast aside. "Mr. and Mrs." were left at home on the shelf and everybody was known as "John" or "Mary", "Joe" or "Jane", as the case might be. An old-fashioned, good cheer meeting and everybody was happy!
Mr. and Mrs. Callihan received a number of lovely and costly gifts, as well as a purse of silver, containing a dollar for every year and then some, as tokens of the love and esteem in which they are held by their scores of friends. They have always lived among us, have shared our joys and our sorrows on many occasions, and it was with a satisfied feeling that it had been a day well spent, that we had to bid them at last, adieu, and leave our good wishes that God would spare them to each other at least, until they reached the "golden wedding morn."
Many cards and letters of congratulations and regrets were also received from friends unable to attend.
Numbers of snapshots were also made of the jolly ones present.
Too much praise cannot be given the daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ethel Callihan, who seemed to be the "main spoke in the wheel," and the daughter, Mrs. Agnes Spangler, who also assisted with unabated energy, till the last dish was washed.
The Carthage Gazette
Carthage, Illinois
Friday
July 28, 1944
Page 1
Column 3Father of Carthage
Lady Passed AwayA. L. Callihan, highly respected citizen of the Webster community, where he had spent his entire life, passed away at the home of his son, Chester Callihan of Webster Wednesday.
Deceased was 82 years of age. He is survived by the son, Chester, and one daughter, Mrs. Harry Spangler of Carthage.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 28, at 2 o'clock at the Webster church of which Mr. Callihan was a member.
Rev. C. J. Kinrade of Carthage officiated. Burial was in the McConnell cemetery near Webster.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
August 2, 1944
Page 8
Column 3Abraham L. Callihan
Dies at WebsterAbraham Lincoln Callihan was born on November 26, 1861 at Webster in this county. He was the youngest of six children of Jacob and Mary Keith Callihan. His parents christened him Abraham Lincoln in honor of the man occupying the office of President at time of his birth.
Mr. Callihan spent his boyhood in the Webster community, and on September 24, 1884 was united in marriage to Ada Reed of Webster. To this union there were born two children, Chester Callihan and Agnes Callihan Spangler, wife of Harry Spangler of Carthage. His wife predeceased him on March 10, 1921. Both children are still living.
Mr. Callihan spent his entire life in Webster. Since the death of his wife he has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Chester Callihan, who, with their daughter Laverne, have faithfully and lovingly cared for him. He was also a frequent visitor in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Spangler.
During his lifetime he occupied several different township offices and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. During his later years of life he was affectionately referred to as Uncle Abe by the residents of his community.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Fountain Green and a charter member of the Modern Woodman of America.
His brothers, Tom and Mart, and his sisters, Sarah, Maggie and Mary, have all predeceased him. He is survived by his two children, Chester Callihan and Agnes Spangler, four grandchildren, LaVerne Callihan Parsons, Wendell, Helen and Mary Spangler, and two great-grandchildren, Ross Byron Parsons and Terry Wendell Spangler. Those surviving mourn the passing a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Funeral services for Mr. Callihan were held at Webster church Friday, July 28, at 2:30 p. m., the Rev. Charles J. Kinrade of the Carthage Methodist church, officiating. Mrs. Kenneth McConnell and Mrs. Adda Latherow sang two hymns, "Whispering Hope" and "There'll Be No Dark Valley," accompanied by Miss Ellen Lenix. Interment was in McConnell cemetery, the following being pallbearers, Charlie Spangler, Burke Harmon, George Shipman, Will Thompson, Will Simmons and Kenneth McConnell.
Hancock County Journal
Carthage, Illinois
Thursday
August 3, 1944
Page 7
Column 1A. L. Callihan
Taken By Death
At Home Of SonFather Of Mrs. Harry
Spangler Dies In Webster
-- Service Held FridayA. L. Callihan, 82, father of Mrs. Harry Spangler, of Carthage, died at the home of his son, Chester Callihan, of Webster, on Wednesday, July 26.
Abraham Lincoln Callihan was born on November 26, 1861 at Webster in this county. He was the youngest of six children of Jacob and Mary Keith Callihan. His parents christened him Abraham Lincoln in honor of the man occupying the office of President at the time of his birth.
Mr. Callihan spent his boyhood in the Webster community, and on September 24, 1884 was united in marriage to Ada Reed of Webster. To this marriage there was born two children, Chester Callihan and Agnes Callihan Spangler, wife of Harry Spangler of Carthage. His wife predeceased him on March 10, 1921.
Since the death of his wife he has made his home with his son and Mrs. Callihan, who, with their daughter Laverne, have faithfully and lovingly cared for him. He was also a frequent visitor in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Spangler.
During his lifetime he occupied several different township offices and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. During his later years he was affectionately referred to as Uncle Abe by the residents of his community.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Fountain Green and a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
His brothers, Tom and Mart, and his sisters, Sarah, Maggie and Mary, all predeceased him. He is survived by his two children; four grandchildren, LaVerne Callihan Parsons, Wendell, Helen and Mary Spangler, and two great-grandchildren, Ross Byron Parsons and Terry Wendell Spangler. Those surviving mourn the passing of a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Webster church with Rev. C. J. Kinrade officiating. The pallbearers were Charles Spangler, Burke Harmon, George Shipman, Will Simmons, Kenneth McConnell and Will Thompson. Burial was in the McConnell cemetery.
