The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-19
One of Founders of Norfolk
Boat Line Victim of
Heart Disease.
KNOWN AS LEADER
IN TRAFFIC WORK
Ideas on Construction of Vessels
Differed Much From Estab-
lished Style.

John Callahan, one or the founders
and second vice president and general
manager OF the Norfolk and Washing
ton Steamboat Company a veteran Of the
ciyal war, and one of the best known
business men of Washington. where he
mad resided during the last twenty
Years, died oe heart trouble at his resi-
1ence, 1917 Fairnont street northwest.
Il 80 o'clock this morning.
AIr. Callahan was alone when the end
came. He had been awakened at
O'Clock by his nurse and did not com
plain Of feeling III. The nurse left him
at 7.15 and returned a quarter Of an
hour later with his breakfast. Mr.. Cal
lahan was dead. He had not changed
his position since the nurse left him.
In the house at the time were Mrs
Callahan, his wife. and his daughter.
Mrs. William T. Ring. The nurse hur-
riedly summoned Mrs. Ring. but it was
found that life had been extinct several
minutes.
III for Five Years
While AIr. Canahan's death was the
immediate result Of heart trouble, il was
brought on by hardening Of the ar
teries, or agnina pectoris. He was
taken i'll Eve years ago. He was sixty
eight years of age.
Although ne had been failing fast
during the past year and was seldom
able to attend 20 his business duties
Mr. Callahan yesterday appeared TO he
better than usual. Early IN the morn
ing he went 70 the Offices OF the steam
boat company, where he met a nus1ber
OF his business associates. He funched
downtown and did not return to his
home intr late IN the afternoon. When
ne retired last night ne felt no fl effects
from the strenuous day.
The male attendant who has been
with Mr.. Callahan constantly during the
latter period OF his Illness awakened
him at the usual hour this morning.
He decided to take breakfast IN bed.
and the attendant was not out OF the
room more than fifteen minutes.
Leaves Three Children.
Nr. Callahan leaves, besides his wife
and daughter. two sons, Daniel J. Gala
han, assistant general manager Of the
Norfolk and Washington Stean1bost
Company, and ". H. Callahan. general
passenger agent OF the company Botl
reached the house shortly after the end
came.
It was announced this morning that
funeral services probably viii be held at
the residence at $50 o'clock THURSDAY
morning, after which the body viii be
taken 10 st. PauFs Church, where requf-
EN- mass VIII be said at o'clock BY the
Rev. Father MaCkin. Internent will
be in Mt. Olivet.
Arrangements are being made 70 have
the active paIlbearers consist OF ern-
plO~ $ Of the Norfolk and VaShinetou
company, with whom bIr. Callahan was
actively associated as general manager
of the company These viii be the
agents a Washington. Alaxendria, Old
Point Comfort Norfolk and POrfs-
mouth; the chief engineer and the gen
eral freight agent. Honorary paIlbear-
ers will be chosen from among the as
sociates OF Mr.. Callahan on the board
or directors OF the company
A Self-Made Man.
Bir. Callahan was a seIf-made man
His life is a story OF determination AMI
perseverance that brought success. IT.
IS likewise the story of a great aInbi-
tion for shipbuilding. He loved the sea.
and his thoughts never wandered far
from It. even IN a business way.
When he came out OF the civil wal.
where he served throughout the entire
struggle IN pickets brigade, he was
made master mechanic at the Norfolk
Navy Yard. With the knOWiedEe of
shipbuilding gained here he aftsrwsrd
designed and supervised the cOnstrIlC-
tiOn CT the steamers Norfolk and Wash
tngtOn, now plying between Washing
ton and Norfolk. as well as the Other
three vessels which have been added T.
the feet OF tie Norfolk and Washing
ton Steamboat Company.
Mr.. CaHahan'S career began when he
found himself a boy twelve years Old.
in this country with a living to make
He had come 10 America at that age
from the county of Cork Ireland where
he was born, May, 1871 His mother
and father had preceded him TO this