The Callaways of Wylie, Texas

Fred Callaway

Memories of ninety years ago on the history of the town of Wylie and the First Baptist Church were shared with me a number of years ago by a most congenial and lovable senior citizen. His name was Fred Callaway and he was born the same year that Wylie became a town. The town and the boy grew up together, although the town was known as Nickleville at that time.

On January 29, 1886 Fred was born in Nickleville, which is now the east side of Wylie. Wylie came into existence on October 16, 1886. Fred often said he lived on "the other side of the tracks." His father was James Madison Callaway who had come to this area via Arkansas after the Civil War. A veteran of the Confederate Army, he had lost an arm in this conflict. James had bought fifty five acres of land at fifty cents an acre.

His mother had been widowed by Wesley Pitts for over a year before her marriage to James Callaway. Her name was Nancy Bennett. She had eight children by Mr. Pitts. She and Mr. Callaway had only two, Fred and Della (Oliver).

Home was located on what is now Old Highway 78 just past the present location of the Wylie Middle Grades School. Fond memories of the happy times there existed for Fred until his death June 16, 1978. His mother and father were both quiet, hardworking people who loved the Lord and were active in the old Nickleville Baptist Church, a forerunner of the present First Baptist Church of Wylie. Fred remembered that his mother was the most beautiful woman that he ever saw. Her voice was most melodious and she was always a member of the church choir.

Father was a good man. He showed no partiality between his children and his stepchildren. he believed the Bible literally, according to Fred. Especially he agreed with Proverbs 13:24 concerning the sparing of the rod and spoiling the child. When Fred would get caught playing hooky or in other bits of mischief (and this happened often), James would go to the mulberry trees and carefully select two "just the right size" limbs. He then would place them under the stub of his arm and twist them together. Although he was one-armed Fred knew when Papa said lay down, he had better and "take what was coming to him."

Farming was a way of life to most back then, and Fred was no exception. At first he went to work for his stepbrother, Gus Pitts, for $15.00 per month, plus room and board. In 1905 the "love-bug" bit him. He married that year to Pearl Hembreys, and his father let him farm the homeplace. In 1913 he sold this farm and went to work for others.

In 1916 an event happened which changed Fred's life . He drove his first automobile! It was a 1913 Ford. He knew then and there that he MUST have a car of his own. A brother-in-law had told him that cars were much cheaper in Waco. Off to Waco went Fred. When he returned he had purchased a one-month old car for $500.00. In Wylie he was offered $625.00 for it.

In 1920 Fred left Wylie to become an expert automobile mechanic. For twenty-three years he worked at this trade. Most of the time was spent in Dallas, but he worked briefly in Fort Worth. When arthritis affected his work, Fred and his son, John Marvin Callaway, opened a laundry and dry cleaning establishment in Dallas. This they ran for over twenty years until grandsons took over and Fred retired.

Upon retirement Fred came "home" to Wylie. Home is where the heart is and Fred knew this. Once again he became active in the First Baptist Church. He also had time to sit and remember - the days when Wylie was young and he could go downtown and catch rabbits under the boardwalks and how the cotton must be picked.

Fred Recalls the Early First Baptist Church

The Civil War ended and many from the Southern States headed to Texas. Among them were the three strong Christian sons of Mr. and Mrs. Garrison Callaway. From Georgia to Arkansas to Nickleville (later Wylie) they came. They were James Madison Callaway, William M. (Uncle Billy) Callaway and Henry H. Callaway. All were instrumental in building the towns of Nickleville and Wylie. All were devout in their faith and were charter members of the Nickleville Baptist Church.

It was Fred's "Uncle Henry" and his wife "Aunt Sallie." (the former Sarah Elizabeth McCullough) who gave the land for the Baptist church in 1884. The present location would be called South Ballard and Oak Street. Reverend Benjamin Bishop was the first pastor. For one year the church was also used as a "free school," but in 1885 Uncle Henry and Aunt Sallie gave land for a schoolhouse as well.

For many years the Callaway family held the distinction of having the oldest member of the First Baptist. First, Mrs. Daisy Pitts, sister-in-law of Fred, held this honor. Upon her death, Mrs. Della Oliver, Fred's sister, was the oldest. Fred was next in line to receive this title. He held it with dignity for many years.

Fred remembered the names of some of the charter members of the newly formed Baptist Church of the mid 1880s. There was Charley Bishop and his family, the Munday's, the Daniel's, the Winn's and the Floyd's (one was a teacher Miss Bessie Floyd). He said he couldn't recall all of the names. After all, they had approximately three hundred in Sunday School then.

Vivid were the memories of the sanctuary. All around the building were hitching posts for horses and buggies. The wooden church faced east and was built in a long row. The sidewalk forked to a north and a south door. At the north door there was an eight foot by eight foot room which housed mops and brooms. Above this room held Fred's fascination, the church bell. Entering the south door of the building, one would note six windows on each side. The many benches were of wood and not padded. Benches were behind the pulpit for choir members.

Fred reminisced about his conversion and when he joined the church. It happened August 14, 1898, and he was baptized on August 15, 1898. Pastor was J. A. Moore of Garland. Garland was not much bigger than Wylie then. Rev. Moore would preach two Sundays in Garland and two Sundays here. Each year he would hold a two-week revival. It was during the August 1898 revival that Fred was saved and baptized. From that day on he never doubted that he was a Christian.

He seldom missed church. For five straight years, from age eighty to eighty-five, Fred did not miss one service at the church. This included midweek services and revivals.

Rev. Gilbert Calloway was pastor here then (1966-1971). His sincerity and smile were contagious.

Fred Callaway loved God and his fellowman. God and all who knew him loved Fred Callaway.

When Fred began talking about the old church bell, much time and many cassette tapes were required. It was his favorite subject, and he knew about the old bell. The melodious chimes of this ancient work of art came alive as the story unfolded.

Fred was a small boy of five years when he first recalled "the bell." It began tolling for him to come to church at 8:30 a.m. and again at 9 a.m. His words on this are as follows: "When that bell rang, I couldn't be still for mother to dress me. After she finished with me, she would go to another room. She'd tell me to sit still, but I'd slip out and head up that road as fast as my legs would carry me. When she missed me, she would fuss, but that bell had rung. "After she caught me, I'd explain, 'But, Mother, you may be late and Brother E. L. Duncan (father of the late Fred Duncan) is calling me.' Brother Duncan toiled that bell for me three times each Sunday, at 8:30 and nine in the morning and at night."

Fred recalled that it was his father who had the job of toning the old bell in the church tower. Its foundations were made of 2x4's and 2x6's. Never once did the foundation shake because of the bell.

For many years this bell sat silent behind our present educational building. Fred could not understand this, for he knew that the sounds would "bring more people to church than all of the witnesses the church could send out."

If Fred would have lived a little longer, he would have been elated to see this old church bell in a place of honor in front of the church. No one would have enjoyed the beautiful hymns which chime hourly by the Carillon Bells as much as Fred.

Henry H. Callaway

Born January 18, 1848, Henry was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Garrison Callaway of Georgia. He married Sarah Elizabeth (Aunt Sallie) McCullough. To them were born the following children:
1.) Bertha Callaway (born February 19, 1880 and died Nov. 2, 1887)
2.) Jesse Callaway (born Oct. 13, 1886 and died january 1, 1951)
3.) Minnie Callaway
4.) Nettie Callaway
5.) Curtis Callaway

It was Henry and Sallie who were very active in establishing the "necessities of home." At first they donated one and one half acres of land and $50.00 to build a Baptist Church in old Nickleville in 1884. the school children began going to school there after its construction. This couple noticed the need for a building just to house classes for the children, and in 1889 they donated four acres for a new school. It was constructed in 1891.

Throughout the years Uncle Henry acted benevolently toward this town. He died on December 2, 1894 and is buried in the Wylie Cemetery.

Jesse and Bonnie Callaway

When first we moved to Wylie, we were greeted by a lovely little lady, Mrs. Bonnie Callaway, who asked if we were kin to the late Oscar Fulkerson of Quanah, who was the banker there. We told her that this was my husband's uncle. During the depression years, Jesse and Bonnie Callaway had been neighbors of the Fulkerson's in Quanah and had become close friends.

Mrs. Callaway was born November 25, 1892 in Plano to Mr. & Mrs. Lee McCrary. On April 28, 1944 she was employed at the new Johnston, Inc. at the beginning of the company here. By the spring of 1945 she was chosen to be floor lady for department B, and did a near perfect job.

Jesse Callaway was born October 13, 1886. To this union were born two sons. They were:
1.) Jesse Callaway who was born August 8, 1913 and died September 7, 1915. He is buried in the Wylie Cemetery.
2.) Charles W. Callaway lived in Dallas.

Jesse worked for several years throughout West Texas, especially in the Quanah area. From 1934 until 1938 he was Wylie's City Clerk. On January 1, 1951 Jesse passed away. Bonnie died December 28, 1976. Both are buried in the Wylie Cemetery.

John H. (Doc John) Callaway

Born in Union County, Arkansas, John H. Callaway entered the lives of Mr. and Mrs. William Callaway on July 20, 1872. They had settled here on their long migratory trip to Texas from Georgia. One of eleven children, Doc John, as he would be known after reaching maturity, attended the old Lee School, as did his brothers and sisters. He then attended the old Nickleville High School, a private institution owned by Frank McCarty.

This remarkable man remembered that when the railroad came through here, it shifted the town to become the new community of Wylie. he also recalled the new baseball suits bought by Col. Wylie with the stipulation that the team be renamed "The Wylie Rustler." From that name the town's first newspaper got its title.

Wylie, the town, boomed and prospered as Doc John grew up here. He began thinking of his future and what he would like to do to earn a living. To be a veterinarian soon became his aim. Vet courses at the Ontario Correspondence School of Ontario, Canada soon began appearing in the mail to the interested student. After completion, Doc John practiced this profession for over twenty years. In 1922 he retired, but in 1927 he opened a grocery store and service station in the Whiteway Addition. The Wylie Supermarket, Century 21 and a washateria are at that spot now. Since Doc John began this grocery in 1927, there has been one at this locale ever since. After thirteen years, Doc John wished to sell out. Jerry Swaner purchased it in 1939.

For the next six years (1940-1946) Doc John served as city marshal and tax assessor of the city of Wylie.

In 1894 he married Hattie Morris of Panola, Texas whom Doc John had met when she lived in Rockwall County. To them were born five children, three of which live to maturity. They were:
1.) Clyde Callaway born March 3, 1896, died August 7, 1902
2.) Maggie Callaway Blanton who resided in Dallas
3.) Bonnie Callaway who resided in West Texas and Wylie
4.) Maurice Callaway who resided in Dallas
5.) E. E. Callaway who resided in Riverdale, California

After death took Hattie on may 16, 1901, John remarried. This time his bride was Miss Emma McCreary (1871-Dec. 16, 1948). To this union were born two children. One lived to maturity. He was:
1.) Doyle E. Callaway who lived in Crowell, Texas.

After his retirement, this gentleman enjoyed life to the utmost - fishin', huntin', and playin' dominoes. On October 21, 1955 he died, and along with both wives and a son, Doc John is buried in the Wylie Cemetery.

William (Billy) Callaway

The middle son of Mr. and Mrs. Garrison Callaway to come here was William (Billy). Born in 1840, he married Sarah Elizabeth (Aunt Bettie) Bennett, born in 1847 in Alabama. They were wed in 1867. To them were born eleven children. One died in infancy. The others were:
1.) William L. Callaway who would move to Crowell, Texas
2.) J. H. (Doc John) Callaway
3.) Charlie C. Callaway
4.) Jim Callaway who moved to Oklahoma
5.) Tom Callaway who moved to Ford City, Texas
6.) Jesse Callaway
7.) Claude Callaway who moved to Crowell, Texas
8.) Mattie Callaway
9.) Lula Callaway Palmer
10.) Emma Callaway

All of the children had a family reunion in 1949 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Callaway near Ford City, Texas. This was reported in the Wylie News.

A happy two-story home filled with love and good fortune was just below the present Dairy Queen near the Santa Fe tracks. The children of Uncle Billy and Aunt Bettie were double cousins of James and Nancy Callaway's children. The ladies were sisters and the men were brothers.

When Uncle Billy died, he was buried near the present site of the Sonic Drive-In in a very small cemetery which has long since disappeared. After awhile his sons - Will, Doc John and Jimmy - decided he should be dug up and reburied in the Wylie Cemetery. Both Uncle Billy, who died in 1888, and Aunt Bettie, who passed away in 1902, rest in the Wylie Cemetery.

Dr. W. M. Callaway

In researching I have found out little about Dr. W. M. Callaway, an early day doctor in these parts. He was born March 23, 1802 and died May 27, 1886 and is buried in the Wylie Cemetery. It is known that he came to the St. Paul area and set up practice in John A. Walden's General Store. Soon he married Miss Dollie Walden and accumulated much land in the St. Paul area.

~ Photo and biographies from Wylie Area Heritage, Beb Fulkerson, 1990

Family line of descent:
Peter Callaway
William Callaway
William Callaway, Jr.
Jonathan Callaway
Henry Callaway
James Madison Callaway

More on this family can be found in the 1986 CFA Journal, page 58.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Copyright © 2005 Callaway Family Association