Stephen L. Callender, proprietor of a good farm pleasantly located in Thompson township, Susquehanna county, is a man of high standing in business circles, and one of the most progressive agriculturists of his
community.
Mr. Callender was born in Scott township, Lackawanna county, Penn., April 16, 1852, a son of Nelson and Samantha (Clark) Callender, also natives of that county, the latter born at Clark's Green. Lackawanna county was also the birthplace of the grandfather, Stephen Callender, but his father, Samuel Callender, who was born in Virginia, was one of
Washington's body guard during the Revolutionary war. The father of our subject was one of a family of four children, the others being as follows: (1) Nathan was for many years a Baptist minister in New Milford, Susquehanna county, but died in Scranton, leaving four children -- Augustus, a resident of Scranton; Jessie, of Philadelphia; Stephen N., of Thompson, Susquehanna county; and Lucy, wife of Albert Smith, of Scranton. (2) Horton, deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war. (3) Charlotte C., the only daughter, married Robert Tennant, and settled in Preston, Penn., where she died. Her children were Lucy, wife of Earl
Finn, of Susquehanna county; Henrietta, wife of Edwin Lloyd, of Binghamton, N. Y.; Josephine, wife of Oscar Finn, of Clifford, Susquehanna county; Adelbert, a resident of Binghamton; Edwin, of Scranton; Flora, wife of Lewis Wrighter, of Thompson, Susquehanna
county; Ida, wife of Edwin Cole, of Preston, Wayne Co., Penn.; Robert, of Uniondale, Susquehanna county; Earl, of Scranton; and Frank, who died young.
On leaving Lackawanna county, Nelson Callender, father of our subject, came to Susquehanna county, and in Thompson township purchased 100 acres of wild land, on the Wayne county line, two miles south of Starrucca, which with the assistance of our subject he converted into an excellent farm. He erected thereon a commodious residence, a good barn and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. There he died in 1896. His first wife, who was a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Stone) Clark, departed this life in 1852, leaving three children, of whom our subject is the youngest. The eldest died in infancy. Maria, born in Lackawanna county, in 1846, is now the wife of Henry Wheeler, a native of Jermyn,
Lackawanna county, and a merchant of Lackawanna, and they have five children -- Lucy, Eva, Ralph, Martin and Vernie. Hannah, born in Lackawanna county, in 1848, is the wife of Stephen Tucker, of Jackson, Susquehanna county, and they have a family of nine children -- Lewis, James, Elsie, William, Nellie, Mabel, Raymond, Beatrice and Read. For
his second wife the father married Ruth Benedict, of Starrucca, Wayne Co., Penn., and by that union he had one daughter, Emma, who is now he wife of Frank Wilcox, of Scranton, and has five children -- Ethel, Dean, Albert, Harold and Ruth. Mr. Callender was earnest and consistent member of the Baptist Church, as is also our subject, and was a stalwart
Republican in politics.
The early life of our subject was passed in Luzerne and Susquehanna counties, and his education was obtained in their common schools. He remained with his father until he married, January 5, 1876, to Miss Kate King, a representative of a prominent family, and a most successful teacher. Her father, Robert King, is now deceased, but her mother, who
bore the maiden name of Minerva Tallman, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Callender were born seven children: Nelson R., Everette O., LeRoy S., Archie B., Ora, Vita M. (who died at the age of twelve years), and Blanche; the first three were born in Preston, Wayne county, the others in Thompson. The mother of these children died December 26, 1889, and her death was widely and deeply mourned, for she was beloved and respected by all who knew her. In 1891 Mr. Callender married Lovita King, who was reared and educated in Wayne county, a daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Dix) King, both now deceased. To this union have been born two sons, Benjamin King and Julian Dean.
After his marriage, Mr. Callender located in Preston, where he followed lumbering for four years, and in 1880 located upon his present farm in Thompson township, the old homestead, comprising 100 acres of rich and aerable land, improved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with general farming he is engaged in stock raising and
dairying, and was for some time interested in a mercantile establishment in Starrucca. In 1894 he took the agency for the Page Woven Wire Fence Co., of Adrian, Mich., one of the best known firms of the kind in the world. Their fences are the best and most reliable on the market, and are used in every State in the Union, while the door mats are also very popular and have a large sale. Mr. Callender has now charge of their interests in Wayne and Susquehanna counties, and is doing an extensive and profitable business. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and is widely and favorably known throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.
Politically he is identified with the Republican party, while socially he affiiates with the Knights of Honor and the Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 866, of Thompson, in which he has filled all the chairs, and which he has also represented in the Grand Lodge.
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