From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 558-559

William Callen, a native of Cumberland County, Pa., born June 21, 1828, is a son of James and Sarah Ann (Sprilman) Callen, natives of Germany, who came to America in their youth and were married in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of twelve chidren: one died in infancy and eleven lived till maturity-- Mary, Jane, George, James, Sarah, Elizabeth, Ellen, Lucinda, Rebecca, William and Agnes. The mother died May 15, 1833, and the father in 1849. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. William Callen was reared in his native county. When twenty years of age he went to Dauphin County, Pa., where he was married Feb. 3, 1849, to Lydia Shaffer. In 1851 they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and the following spring settled on the farm where they now live. A few acres were cleared and there was a small log cabin on the land. With this exception all around them was a heavily timbered country. They came to this county in company with Jacob Fox, one of the most prominent men of Fremont. They were possessed of but limited means, but their young hearts were full of enthusiasm and their wills and constitutions strong, and they bravely went to work and made for themselves and children a pleasant home, where true comfort is now found and love reigns supreme. Mr. Callen has been one of the most enterprising men of the township and has served as Supervisor. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. To them have been born eight children-- Daniel, born Nov. 10, 1849; Peter, Sept. 4, 1852; John, June 7, 1854; Emma, Dec. 4, 1856; Clara, April 3, 1859; Ray, Feb. 2, 1870, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Callen's father, William Shaffer, died in May, 1831, when she was eleven months old. He was a member of the German Reform church. Her mother, Margaret (Beck) Shaffer, was a member of the Lutheran church. She died Jan. 14, 1875. They had a family of ten children-- Barbara, Samuel, Jacob, John, Susannah, Margaret, Daniel, Peter, Mary, and Lydia.

Submitted by: Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com