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Note: A.A.'s dad moved the family to Callahan Co., TX in the late 1880s. At this same time, Uncle Meck (R.S.'s brother) and Aunt Tenn, and Gid Howell's family went with them. Meck Callahan served as postmaster for Tecumseh from July 9, 1890 to May 1891. He also served as clerk for the Baird Baptist Church. ("Early Days in Callahan Co.", pgs. 246, 305)
A.A. graduated from the high school in Baird, TX about 1910 or 1911. The family moved back to Upshur Co shortly afterward, where A. A. met Tennie Ellington. After they married in 1913, A.A. bought 40 acres of land. In addition to farming, he was also a preacher.
In 1913, A.A. pastored at the Glade Creek Baptist Church, which had a membership of 129. His P.O. number was Gilmer, R 3. No salary is listed in the 1913 Statistical Report
In 1916, he was pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church, membership 126, and his salary was $75.00.
In 1917, he pastored three churches--East Mountain, with 89 members; Oak Hill, with 159 members; Union Springs, with 21 members. His salary was $75.00.
In 1918, he pastored only Oak Hill Baptist Church, with 87 members. His P.O. was Gilmer, Route 2. No salary is listed in the 1918 Statistical Report.
In Jan 1919, A.A. moved his family to Childress, TX where he worked for the old Ft Worth and Denver railroad division-point maintenance shops. His father, Steve, followed him there.
During the winter of 1922-23, the family moved to a farm at Hastings Oklahoma (30 mi northeast of Wichita Falls, TX). The fall of 1923, A.A. bought a new 1924 Ford Model T touring car, after making a good cotton crop. He was also the pastor of three churches in the area; Moran, Gatlin, and his home church, Friendship. While living in Oklahoma, A.A. asked that he be ordained again. The people of Friendship church prayed over him and laid hands on him on Feb 7, 1932. Tennie said he wanted this done because he had been so young when first ordained and was not married at the time. He felt a preacher should be married before he could understand the gravity of his service to the congregation. The ordination certificate was filed in District Court, Stephens Co., OK on March 28, 1932.
A.A. died of hypoplastic anemia. The local M.D. thought he only had the flu and was treating him for that. A.A.'s condition grew worse and he finally entered the University Hospital in Oklahoma City. He wrote a letter to Tennie while there, saying he was feeling better but was still very weak. The doctors wanted Lloyd and Tennie to go to the hospital to donate blood in preparation for a 'treatment'. A.A. felt he would be there for a while. Lloyd and Tennie drove to Oklahoma City and stayed several days while they donated blood.
A.A. spent one week at University Hospital, one week at St. Anthony's Hospital, and two weeks at home before death. The family was living on Mrs. J. L. Evans place near Diamond, Stephens Co., Okla. at the time. When the local M.D., who had first treated A.A. for the flu, found out what was actually wrong, he went to the house and sat by the bedside, crying pitifully, "I've killed you! I am so sorry!" The illness had lasted for 6 months and A.A. died at 12:30PM.
Tennie was left with 4 young boys to raise by herself. Several family members offered to take in the boys but Tennie insisted on raising them together and tried every way she could to support her children. At the time of A.A.'s death, they were running a 160 acre, four horse sharecrop farm.
In August or September of 1932, because the owner of the farm planned on selling it, Tennie sold off all of her farm machinery and horses in Diamond, Okla. and moved to Ada, Okla. This move was done on the recommendation of Gipson Smith, a teacher at Diamond school. The plan was that Lloyd, the oldest son, could go to college at Ada and Tennie could open up a boarding house for college students. Tennie rented a large house but never had any boarders. Lloyd went one day to college and quit. He told his mother it was not for him. There is some speculation in the family today that Lloyd didn't try to make school work because he missed his girlfriend, Oda Bynum, and wanted to return to Diamond.
Within four months, Tennie moved the family back to Diamond and rented another farm that lay one mile north of the old Friendship Church. Lloyd married Oda during the fall of 1933. Uncle Meck, who had provided money and help to A.A.'s family in the past, gave Tennie four horses that he no longer needed on his half-section farm near Pampa. He had started using tractors by then and thought the horses would do well with Tennie.
[ footnote to the death of A. A.---Mr. Sam Nelson, a member of the church, was sitting with A. A. the day he died. This was told to me on March 2, 2003 in Wichita Falls, Tx by Mr. Nelson's daughter, Sammie Nelson Beane. Sammie said she was named after her father and no other girl in Comanche Co., OK had a name like that. She eventaully moved to Wichita Falls and became friends with Betty Vanlandingham Callahan (who had married Vernie Wayne Callahan ]
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Note: HI274
Note: (Research): unknown newspaper clipping, Obit Faithful Worker Called to that Peaceful Rest
May 12, 1932, God in his mercy took from our midst our beloved brother and friend, even though we can't understand why, such a faithful servant, devoted church worker, song leader and teacher had to be taken. We know our all wise God knows best. But how our hearts are made to sorrow when we see so many vacancies made by our brother. He was loyal to his church in every way. Standing firm for what the Bible teaches, going about his work among his friends with a smiling face and the cordial fellowship and, even unto death's door, he talked continually of his lost friends. Rev. A. A. Calahan at the time of his death was pastor at Moran and Gatlin and saving one Sunday to be with his church at home (Friendship). These churches have had indeed a great loss. Rev. Calahan number his friends by his acquaintances. When his spirit winged its way to that Celestial City, he was surrounded by his relatives and a host of friends. When we looked into his peaceful face and noted the kind and capable hands, so restfully quiet, the masses of fragrant and beautiful floral offerings of love and sympathy, we more than realized that here was indeed one who had wrapped the draperies of his couch about him to await the home coming of his loved ones. The funeral services were conducted at the Friendship Baptist church by Rev. C. A. Smith of Chickasha and Rev. Kelly of Marlow. Interment was made in the Diamond cemetery, The widow and four sons survive. Mrs. A. A. Calahan, Lloyd, D. H., Elwyn, Vernie Wayne.
A Friend Letter from the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Comanche, Oklahoma
Elder A. A. Callahan
Our beloved Master, who doeth all things well, saw fit to call from the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church our beloved member, Elder A. A. Callahan. Bro. Callahan had been in the ministry only a short times, but he was putting his whole life in the work. He was a man of strong convictions and stood firm for the truth and preached the word of God without fear of man. We can't understand why such a faithful devoted church worker, song leader and preacher had to be taken, but we know God know best. Be it resolved, by this church in conference, that we hereby extend out tenderest sympathies to sister Callahan and children. Resolved further that he will be greatly missed in the church and Sunday School which he loved. And we pray that God will strengthen and bless them, and help them to be submissive to the home-going of their beloved companion and father. Resolved that a copy be spread on our church record and a copy be handed to sister Callahan.
Committee Mrs J. A. Rooker Mr. Roy Reynolds Miss Emma Best Mrs Ernest Hokitt
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