History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 169 - 170

T. HENRY CALLIS

Some men are ever seeking positions in the public service. They are standing candidates at each successive election and though often encountering defeat, they come up smilingly at the next convention with all the easy grace and confidence of a man who has never known disappointment. Then there is another class of men who are modest even to docility, lacking in self-assertion, to whom aggressiveness is wholly foreign, yet who find it impossible to keep out of office. Without solicitation whatever on their part, they are chosen again and again to offices of public trust and responsibility. There is a cause for this and it doubtless will be found in, the fact that modesty, when coupled with ability, is ever appreciated by the general public, while the blatant place-hunter, who is ever a most selfish creature, is sure to receive the contempt which his self-assertion merits. The subject of this biography, T. Henry Callis, is one of those men whom his fellow citizens love to honor. He has held various public positions, none of which, however, were secured through his own seeking. For nearly thirty years he has been a resident of Wexford county and during that time the people have had ample opportunity to form a just estimate of the man, with the result that he occupies today an enviable position among his fellow citizens. T. Henry Callis is a native of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born August 27, 1854. His parents were John and Eliza (Morris) Callis, natives of England who came to America about the middle of the last century and settled in the "City of Brotherly Love," where they remained a number of years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the subject was the eighth. When he was two years old, in 1856, the family came to Washtenaw county, Michigan, locating on a farm in Augusta township. The mother is now deceased, while the father still resides on the place. On this farm the subject was reared and grew to manhood. He attended the district school during the winter months and devoted himself during the other months of the year to the duties of the farm. So well did he employ his time in the school room that by the time he was old enough to take charge of and govern a school he was amply qualified for the employment. He continued to reside in Washtenaw county, devoting his time to farming until 1874, when he came to Wexford county, where for a number of years he followed the same lines of labor. June 8, 1879, Mr. Callis was united in marriage to Miss Della A. Matteson, a native of Avon, Lorain county, Ohio, born April 21, 1862. Her parents were Abner L. and Susan (Card) Matteson, natives of the state of New York. The family came from Ohio to Wexford county, Michigan, some two years previously. He secured a farm in Colfax township, upon which he built a home and there they continued to reside until death claimed the worthy and devoted couple. Her death occurred April 14, 1882, he surviving her a little more than four years, expiring July 13, 1886. Each was about sixty years old at the time of death. Mrs. Callis is the youngest of a family of eight children. She and her husband are the parents of four children, viz: Edith M., Alwin B., Effie N. and Morris C. Edith is the wife of Lewis B. Judd. About the time of his marriage Mr. Callis became the owner of sixty acres of land in Cedar Creek township and soon afterward the young couple established their abode thereon. The tract is well improved and supplied with all necessary buildings, which are far superior to the average farm structures. There are thirty-two acres under cultivation and the place is well stocked and supplied with all necessary implements and machinery for its proper operation. Its owner is an intelligent, progressive and thorough farmer, one who believes in the policy of a little farm well tilled. In politics T. Henry Callis is independent, and the manner in which he has been honored by his fellow citizens precludes the possibility of his being a bitter partisan. During the years from 1893 to 1895, inclusive, he represented his township on the county board of supervisors. He served also as township clerk and for four years has been a member of the board of school examiners of Wexford county. He has been for several years president of the Wexford County Farmers Institute and in 1894 was the enumerator for the township in which he lives. He and his worthy wife, who has contributed much to the success and popularity of her husband, are members of Rose Hill Grange No. 949, Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. and Mrs. Callis are classed among the most intelligent and refined residents of Cedar-Creek township and consequently enjoy the respect and esteem of their neighbors to an unusual degree. No words of commendation that can here be added could enhance the regard in which they are held.