Martin L Callin (1853 - 1889)

Ancestors

Biography

Martin L. Callin was the son of Thomas Callin and Susan Egner, born on 9 Aug 1853 and grew up in Weller Township, Richland County, Ohio, where his father ran a shoe shop.^[1][2][3]

Martin married Mary Elizabeth Rearick on 11 Mar 1876 in Richland County, Ohio. Elizabeth was the daughter of Christian Rearick (1821–1879) and Margaret (b. 1822), born on 12 Dec 1854 in Rome, Richland County, Ohio. Her father was an immigrant from Prussia who married in Pennsylvania, then moved to Ohio around 1850 and served in 26th Regiment, Ohio Infantry during the Civil War. Elizabeth grew up in Blooming Grove, Richland County. After they married, Martin and Elizabeth lived in Blooming Grove, next door to Elizabeth’s parents.^[4][5][6]

Martin L. Callin and Mary Elizabeth Rearick had the following children:

• Pearl Blanche (Callin) Todd (1877-1951)
• Benjamin Franklin Callin (1878-1953)
• William Jefferson Callin (1885-1949)
• Gaston N Callin (1888-1925)

Martin served as postmaster for Olivesburg, Richland County, from 1881 to 1883. He moved his family to Tiro, Crawford County, in 1884 and served as postmaster there through 1885. He was killed at age 35 in a train accident on 13 Feb 1889 in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio. The facts of the event were reported in the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum on 15 Feb 1889 (see below). Martin’s obituary ran in the Crawford County News on 21 Feb 1889.^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

"Martin L. Callin was born August 22, 1852, at Olivesburg, Richland county, Ohio. He was the son of Jefferson and Susan (Eggner) Callin. He was married on March 11, 1876, to Elizabeth Rearick, of Rome, Richland county, Ohio, and they have been blessed with four children, one daughter and three sons as follows: Pearl, Benjamin, William and Gahston. For one year after their marriage he farmed for John Crabbs, now the well known horse dealer of Mansfield. Then they removed to Olivesburg living there one year. From there they removed to Rome where for one year Mr. Callin engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother-in-law Joseph Rearick. He then returned to Olivesburg and was a merchant in that place for three years. In March 1884, the Callin family located in Tiro and for two years the deceased was a partner of Willis Brown, during which period he served as postmaster for several months. In the spring of 1888 in connection with his brother-in-law Joseph Rearick they bought Mr. Raudebaugh's stock of goods and since then they have been in business. Mrs. Callin has also been buying stock in partnership with Aus Fox. The body of Mr. Callin was taken to Olivesburg on Friday and the funeral held there in the afternoon. Services were conducted by Rev. J.H. Barron, assisted by Rev. James Huston. M.L. Callin was a young man of pleasant manners affable and polite in his intercourse with his fellow citizens. By his genial disposition he made friends wherever he went and many hearts are made sad by his untimely death. His afflicted widow and fatherless children have the sympathy of the community in this hour of their bereavement."

Telegraph-Forum, Bucyrus, Ohio article

The full article on the accident that killed Martin Callin, including the coroner's report, was published in the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum on 15 Feb 1889.^[12]

“Jacob F. Bloom and Martin L. Callin, of Tiro, Hurled Into Eternity.
“One of the saddest and most distressing tragedies in the history of our city occurred here Wednesday noon and our community has not yet recovered from the shock. Although both men were comparative strangers in this vicinity yet the terrible death they met and the sorrow it will bring to their families call forth the deepest sympathy.
“Wednesday morning early Jacob F Bloom and M L Callin, both of whom were numbered among Tiro's most energetic business men, started to Bucyrus to transact some matters. They drove a spirited team attached to a sleigh. As they approached the Ohio Central railroad track an engine to which three gondolas were coupled moved down at a rapid rate toward the city. The front car collided with the sleigh throwing the occupants far out and killing each almost instantly. The bodies remained untouched until the arrival of the Coroner Dr E A Thoman and after an inspection of the surroundings they were conveyed to the engine house. Here they were examined and given into the hands of Undertaker Wise who prepared them for being conveyed back home. The inquest was held in the office of Dr Thoman and was not completed until after 10 o’clock at which time friends sadly bore the remains to Tiro.
“No less than a dozen witnesses were examined and every detail was investigated that would throw light upon the matter. From the testimony of two eye witnesses the following story is gleaned: The yard engine had taken three gondolas loaded with ties, north of the city and had distributed the timber along the track. It then remained for the engineer to get his cars back to the city before the south bound passenger train came in. He started at a lively run the speed of which many of the witnesses differed on ranging from 8 miles an hour to 20 miles. As the train approached the pike road the whistle was sounded and the bell was rung continuously. A second whistle was sounded for the Annapolis road crossing and a third for the station was made. Immediately upon striking the men John Rody who stood on the first car signaled for a stop and after a run of 300 feet the train came to a standstill. On approaching the scene of the accident a sad sight presented itself. Mr Callen had been propelled through the air and over a fence forty-five feet away and lay there with eyes partially open and with blood streaming from his mouth. Mr Bloom had been thrown against the fence adjoining the cattle guard with such force as to break some of the boards. He was bleeding profusely from mouth, nose and ears although his face bore no marks. An examination showed the necks of both were broken thus causing instant death. Callen's ribs were fractured and his temple somewhat cut. Bloom’s legs were fractured above the knees and the right side of his head was somewhat bruised. It was testified that Bloom was driving and when close to the track noticed the approaching engine, whether by sight or hearing is not known and began to urge his horses into a gallop. Owing to the high embankments he could not see the gondolas in front. His horses under the lash had just crossed the track when Bloom saw his danger and arose to leap. As he arose the platform of the car struck him and in another instant he and his friend were dead. Callen did not attempt to move. This story is corroborated by all the witnesses. In Callen’s clothes $412, gold watch and important papers were found, while Bloom had but little money or anything of value upon him. Both were well dressed. They were enroute for Nevada to buy horses. The men were 31 and 33 years of age and leave families dependent upon friends for support. They were representative men of Tiro and their death will be deeply deplored in that little city.
The following is the report of the Coroner and embraces a straight-forward series of comments on the unfortunate affair:
CORONER’S INQUEST
I find from the facts adduced from the evidence here given that M L Callin and J F Bloom came to their death by being struck by a car on the Ohio Central road about 11:30 a m on the 13th day of February, A.D. 1889, on the Annapolis road, being inside the corporation limits of the city of Bucyrus. The marks as shown on their bodies show that death was instantaneous. From the evidence here given the fact is shown that they urged their horses into a run across the track that the horses did get across but the sleigh was struck throwing them many feet from where they were struck first. I also find from the evidence that the proper signals of an approaching train were given at the distance prescribed by law but also find that the train was running at a rate of speed exceeding ten miles an hour. This is a very dangerous crossing, not protected by gates or flagmen. The wagon road approaching the track from the east and west is on a down grade the track being in a hollow and the approach of a train from the north can not be seen until almost upon the wagon road being obscured by houses and embankments. The public should be protected against accident by the railroad placing there a flagman or other method of protection.
E A THOMAN
Coroner Crawford County”

Sources

1. ↑ Callin, George W. (1846-1921) The Callin Family History, United States: Tad Callin, 2015, pg. 3. Print on demand from Lulu, Inc. (Available through WorldCat Interlibrary loan, OCLC Number: 910940769).
2. ↑ 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Weller, Richland, Ohio; Pg: 332; FHL Film: 805029.
3. ↑ 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Weller, Richland, Ohio; Roll: M593_1261; Pg: 387A; FHL Film: 552760.
4. ↑ Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993.
5. ↑ 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Blooming Grove, Richland, Ohio; Roll: M593_1261; Pg: 12B; FHL Film: 552760.
6. ↑ 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Bloominggrove, Richland, Ohio; Roll: 1061; Pg: 11B; Enum Dist: 202.
7. ↑ U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959, 2014.
8. ↑ U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971, 2010.
9. ↑ U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial #30773811.
10. ↑ Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Obituary Index, 1810s-2016, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH.
11. ↑ Newspapers.com, Crawford County News, Bucyrus, Ohio, 21 Feb 1889, Thu, Pg 3, "Martin L. Callin obituary".
12. ↑ Newspapers.com, Telegraph-Forum, Bucyrus, Ohio, 15 Feb 1889, Fri, Pg 3, "AN AWFUL FATE."