Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/188

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

served as deputy commissioner and commis- sioner of revenue at Alexandria, Virginia, has not only been a trusted government official for many years, but has won a secure and desirable position in the life of the city. Mr. Callahan is of Scotch-Irish descent, son of Allan Tupper and Sarah Mildred (Ennis) Callahan, his father born in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1812, died in 1884.

Charles H. Callahan was born at Aquia Mills, Staftord county, Virginia, August 22, 1858. After attending the public schools he finished his studies under private instruc- tion in Fairfax county, Virginia. For a time he worked on his father's farm, after- ward being employed as clerk and book- keeper in a general store, forsaking this em- ployment to learn the carpenter's trade. This he followed for a number of years, in January, 1905, being elected deputy com- missioner of revenue at Alexandria, Vir- ginia, Major George Duffy being commis- sioner, and two years later succeeded Major Dufify in office. Since that time he has been continuously in the service of the state in that capacity, his constant application to duty, the strict honor that actuates his every action, the thoroughness with which he completes a task once undertaken, render- ing him a public servant of rare value. Mr. Callahan is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Alexandria, of which he was for two years worshipful master, and for one year district deputy grand master, of District No. I, Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 14, Royal Arch Masons, and has taken fourteen de- grees in the Scottish Rite. He is the author of a work entitled "Washington, the Mason," the first copy of the first edition of which was presented to President Taft just before that official left office, on the anniversary of General Washington's birth, 191 3. The first copy of the second edition was presented to Vice-President Marshall at the celebration of General W'ashington's birthday in Alexandria in 1914, when Mr. Marshall delivered the chief address at a Masonic banquet. New lights upon great national and world famous characters are ever full of interest and the intimate in- sight gained from the reading of Mr. Cal- lahan's book give to that admirable patriot, general' and statesman an aspect that, when approached from a different angle, is entire-

ly lost. Mr. Callahan shares with all other true Americans deep love and reverence for George Washington, and it was this that induced him to write the above-mentioned work, dealing with the one phase of his per- sonality that had never been thoroughly tieated. It is this same devotion that has inspired his efforts as secretary of "The George Washington Masonic National i\Iemorial Association," the object of which is to build a National Memorial Masonic Temple in Alexandria in honor of Wash- ington, a purpose fine in conception and worthy of fulfillment. Mr. Callahan affiliates with the Protestant Episcopal church.

He married, in October, 1891, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of James and Alice Ap- pich, and has children: Jessica, Charles Aubrey, Mary Louise, Mildred Ruberta, Cora Virginia, all born in Alexandria, Vir- ginia.

William Fewell Merchant, M. D. The

Merchants of Virginia date from Colonial days. George Merchant was a soldier of Captain Daniel Morgan's company of rifle- men that fought in the expedition against Quebec, 1775- 1776, when the gallant Mont- gomery fell. Aquilla Norvell, maternal great-grandfather of Dr. Merchant, of Man- assas, was also a soldier of the revolution. Dr. Merchant's paternal grandfather was William Charles Merchant, born at Dum- frees, Virginia, in 1803, married Ann Har- rison Speake.

Benjamin Dyer Merchant, son of Wil- liam Charles and Ann Harrison (Speake) Merchant, was born at Dumfries, Virginia, June 3, 1839, died March 13, 1913. He was "for many years a prosperous merchant of Dumfries and a man held in the very high- est esteem, serving for twenty-five years as chairman of the board of supervisors of Prince William county. At the outbreak of the war between the states he enlisted in Company A, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, in 1861, but was a member of a volunteer cav- alry company in 1858. At the reorganization oi the army he was elected second lieutenant and in 1863 was promoted first lieutenant. He had narrow escapes from death on more than one occasion, bullets passing through his clothing and once being struck by a piece of bursting shell. He was taken pris- oner in battle and for eighteen months con- fined in a Federal prison on Morris Island,