The Callaghans of
Dakota County,
Minnesota
In 1865, a young couple named William and Mary Callaghan left Illinois and their dead son John behind and moved to Minnesota to start a new life with the only living child Patrick. They would have seven more children over the next eleven years. All five daughters dedicated their lives to educating the children of Dakota County and elsewhere as teachers in one-room school houses like the Watson School, Lakeville (in District 42) below. Even two of the sons spent time as teachers.
The Callaghans of Dakota County epitomized the Ghost Family in the worst way. Only one of the surviving adult children, Maggie, ever married and none of them had any children. The Callaghan name in this branch died in 1971 when their youngest, James, died alone in Los Angeles at the age of 94.
The Callaghans of Dakota County epitomized the Ghost Family in the worst way. Only one of the surviving adult children, Maggie, ever married and none of them had any children. The Callaghan name in this branch died in 1971 when their youngest, James, died alone in Los Angeles at the age of 94.
Watson School (c 1910) courtesy of the Dakota County Historical Society (2011)