The
enterprising and popular senior partner in the leading firm of Callan &,
Dratz, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, Muskegon, Mich., has
been a well-known resident of his present locality for the past quarter of
a century, and, a man of fine business
attainments, has prosperously aided in the conduct of a trade which is now one
of the best in its line in the State,
and, carrying a complete stock of goods, competes successfully with the houses
of the larger and older cities.
Our subject, born in County Cork,
Ireland, May 12, 1845, was the son of Timothy and Jane (Broadrick) Callan. The father
was by occupation a farmer and patiently tilled the soil of the Old Country.
Our subject, trained to habits of
industrious thrift, assisted his father
in the work of the farm and in his childhood attended the common schools of his native land. At twelve
years of age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tailor, and gave a number of years to acquire the details of the clothier's art. As he neared manhood Mr.
Callan determined he would
follow the tide of emigration, and in common with the sons of his
parents' friends and neighbors seek his
fortune in America. Before he had yet attained his majority our
subject, in 1865, embarked for the United States and having made a safe voyage
landed in New York City, in which metropolis he remained for about two montlis.
Mr. Callan, who decided to
prospect for a time before locating permanently, next journeyed to Boston,
Mass., and finding ready employment in
that city continued there two and a-half
years. At the expiration of this length of time our subject traveled to the farther West and visited
Chicago, Ill., and then went to Aurora, Ill., where he spent the following four
months. He afterward made a trip to Milwaukee and finally, in the year
1868, came to Muskegon, where he engaged as a
cutter with William H. Herbst. After some time Mr. Callan
entered into partnership with Mr. Herbst, the business being conducted under the firm name of William
Herbst & Co. This business arrangement profitably endured until 1877,
when the partnership was dissolved, our
subject soon afterward connecting
himself with John A. Dratz, also a practical tailor and fine cutter, whose work is well known
for its style and finish. The firm of Callan & Dratz enjoys an extensive custom and aside from a fine city trade has a
large patronage from the surrounding country.
In 1877 were united in marriage
Timothy Callan and Miss Maggie Hall, a well-known young lady of
Muskegon and a general favorite with a
large circle of young people.
The estimable wife of our subject is the daughter of John Hall, a
highly respected citizen. The pleasant
home of Mr. and Mrs. Callan at No. 44 Peck Street has been brightened by
the birth of three merry and
intelligent children, two sons and a daughter: Charles, Frank and Emma.
These young people will be given every
opportunity to worthily fit themselves to occupy with honor any position
of trust to which they may be called in the
future. Politically an
Independent, Mr. Callan casts his vote for the best man, and without any
aspirations for office does his duty as
a loyal citizen, ever ready to lend a helping hand in all matters of public
welfare.
Portrait & Biographical
Record of Musekgon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan
1893, Chicago: Biographical
Publishing Company
Submitted by Doris Rake and
Bill Moore