JUDGE JAMES CALLANS DIES SUDDENLY
Retired From Active Law Practice Last August, After Years of Public Service.
The sudden death of Judge James Callans at his home last Sunday night about 11:30 o'clock, came as a shock to his many friends, associated and life long acquaintances all over Scott county. White he had been in failing health for some time, owing to his advanced age, and had retired from active practice, yet he made his daily walk from home down town and was only seriously ill a short while before he passed away as a result of a heart attack.
James Callans was born in County Carlone, Ireland, Aug. 6, 1846, and came to this country with hid parents when he was ten years old, spending the remainder of his life in Scott county.
At an early age he had the misfortune to lose an arm in an accident, but this did not prevent him from taking an active interest in life's battles, being a country school teacher, superintendent of schools of Scott county from 1869 to 1873, elected a member of the state legislature for one term, in 1874 and was state's attorney from 1876 to 1882, when he was elected county judge, serving 26 consecutive years.
Passing away at the age of 86 years, he was one of the oldest member of the Illinois Bar Association. He retired from active law practice last August. A prominent Democrat, he took an active part in the affairs of his party. A devoted member of St. Mark's church and a man who numbered his friends by the score.
Mr. Callans married Mary Slagle in 1867, who passed away in 1895. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Fred and Phil Callans.
In 1897, he was married to Mrs. Kate Kelley, who with the following children survive: Mrs. Emma Lashmet, and John Callans, Winchester; Mrs. May Welch, Alsey; Wm. Callans, White Hall; Jos. Callans, Astoria, and James and Thos. Callans, Chicago.
Funeral services, largely attended, were conducted from St. Mark's church, Tuesday morning, Jan. 3, 1933, at nine o'clock, Rev. Fr. C. S. Bell of Jacksonville and Rev. Fr. M. J. O'Mullane officiating.
Interment was in the Catholic cemetery, the pall bearers being Geo. Metzger, Chas. P. O'Donnell, Dr. Wm. O'Reilly, T. B. Lyons, Geo. Hogan and J. E. Coultas.
Honorary pall bearers were Judge T. J. Priest, R. M. Riggs, J. A. McKeene, C.C. Carter, Allan Watt, C. Munze, Albert and David Hainsfurther and Guy Paul.
Submitted by: Cheryl (Curtis) Behrend