My Genealogy Hound

Owen J. Callagy, who is manager for the Leininger Implement Company of Omaha, having charge of their branch house at Creston since the 1st of January, 1907, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, June 29, 1877. His father, Owen T. Callagy, was a native of New York city, while the grandfather was Dennis Callagy, who came from Ireland when a lad and settled in the eastern metropolis. About 1857 he removed to Iowa City, Iowa. Throughout the greater part of his life he followed the occupation of farming. His son, Owen T. Callagy, was brought by his parents to Iowa and has since made his home within the borders of this state. In 1897 he came to Union county, first settling in Lincoln township but afterward removed to Highland township, where he now makes his home. He is a good farmer and stockman and now a well-to-do citizen. He belongs to St. Malachy’s church and is a stalwart democrat in his political views. He served as sheriff of Johnson county and was superintendent of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Council Bluffs. He has held various township offices in Union county and is recognized as a strong party leader. He married Sophia J. Bradley, a native of Pennsylvania, now living at the age of fifty-seven years, while he has reached the age of sixty-three. She, too, is a member of St. Malachy’s church.

In their family were eleven children: Julia, the wife of O. V. McClure, a railroad man, residing at Bakersfield, California; John B., a farmer of Douglas township; Owen J.; James C. a resident of Highland township, this county; William T., a fireman on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, with headquarters in Texas; May, the wife of Ernest Cassady, a merchant of Bakersfield, California; Frank, at home; Edith, who is engaged in teaching and is with her parents; Margaret, who is pursuing a course in stenography at the Commercial School in Creston; and Robert and Charles, who are still under the parental roof.

Owen J. Callagy was born on the home farm and attended the public schools at Council Bluffs. He afterward worked on his father’s farm until 1902, when he was married and for a year thereafter carried on general agricultural pursuits in Douglas township. He then came to Creston, where he secured employment in the implement establishment of McCullough & Kiddoo, with whom he continued for a year. In 1904 he entered the employ of the Leininger Implement Company, of Omaha, and since the 1st of January, 1907, has been managing their business at Creston. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade and is proving most capable in charge of the house.

Mr. Callagy was married in 1902 to Miss Bridget Conlon, who was born in Chicago in 1877 and is a daughter of Peter and Catherine Conlon. Her father came to Union county and located on a farm in Douglas township but is now living retired in Creston, building a home on New York Avenue.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Callagy hold membership in St. Malachy’s church. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Foresters, and in politics is a democrat with rather independent tendencies. Although yet a young man he has made a creditable record in business circles and his unfaltering diligence and strong determination constitute the basis of his prosperity.