Thomas C. Callinan, Berlin, was born in Clare County, Ireland, December 22, 1844. He is a son of Frederick and Mary (Kane) Callinan, both of whom lived and died in Clare County, Ireland. The father died when his son Thomas was six weeks old. The mother died July 15, 1878. Of their family five are still living, three in Bureau County and two in San Francisco, California. One son, a Captain in the English Navy, died in the East Indies, and another, a clerk, died in Ireland.
The early life of our subject was spent on the farm and in school. His father was a landlord, and of a wealthy family in Ireland. In 1858 Mr. Callinan came to America, and since that time has made Bureau County his home. October 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until May 1865, when they were mustered out at David’s Island, New York Harbor. He participated in several engagements, among which was the battle of Altoona Pass, Ga., and also Nashville, Tenn. After leaving the army he returned to Bureau County, and has since been engaged in farming, having occupied his present farm of 120 acres in Sections 31 and 32, Berlin Township, since May 1871.
He was married in this county February 24, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Rinker, born in Ohio Township, Bureau County, August 27, 1852. She is a daughter of Isaac and Eveline (Wilson) Rinker, who came to this county in 1850. Mr. Rinker was a native of Virginia, and his wife of Belmont County, Ohio, where they were married in 1849. He died January 1867, and his widow now lives in Malden. Mr. and Mrs. Callinan have two children, viz.: Murty A., born March 31, 1871; Eva, born November 11, 1878.
Mr. Callinan is a member of the Bureau Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 112; Princeton Chapter, No. 28; Orrin Council, No. 8; Temple Commandery, No. 20; also of Knights of Pythias of Princeton; Grand Army of the Republic, Ferris Post, No. 309, at Princeton. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church Malden, of which he is a Deacon. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Malden. In politics is an active Republican.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885