Morrison Historical Society will host Bryn Callahan, 17, State President of Children of the American Revolution (C. A. R.), on Sunday, June 30, 2019. The public is invited to this one-of-a-kind program at Morrison’s Heritage Museum, 202 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.; Callahan’s unique program starts promptly at 1:30. Members of Rock River, Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong, and Carroll Jo Daviess Chapters of Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) have been invited.
Children of the American Revolution is an organization of children who can prove their lineage from a person who gave aid or fought during the Revolutionary War. Callahan is a 16-year member of the group. He descends from Elijah Bailey, Lt. David Holman, Captain James Greenwood, and David Kenyon and several other Revolutionary soldiers whose descendants settled around Thomson, IL. His heritage also includes three Mayflower passengers.
Callahan picked a project to bring attention to more than 10,000 riders of the Orphan Train that were placed in homes in Illinois from 1854-1929. Many children were placed in Carroll, Whiteside, and Lee Counties. His 3-times-great-grandfather, Richard Wilhelm Groharing, was one of these children. He found a new life in Illinois after being left in a New York City orphanage with his brothers. William was placed in the Thomson-Fulton, IL, area; Edward, was placed in the Amboy, IL, area. Callahan is eager to promote the history of the Orphan Train, and he seeks other descendants who had relatives on the trains.
During his term, Callahan will lead 600+ Illinois C. A. R. members in funding a bronze bench informational plaque, to be installed at the Amboy Railroad Depot Museum. Two children from the Orphan Train wait for possible sponsors to take them home to a new life. It is believed that this is the first Orphan Train memorial in Northwestern Illinois.
“Bring a Buck for Bryn’s Bench” if you wish to assist in his State-wide fundraiser. The cost of the bench and plaque is approximately $5000. About half has been raised since April from the sale of lapel pins, mobile phone pops, and tote bags and from donations.
Bryn is the son of Michael and Amie Henneman Callahan of Moline. He has a rich legacy in C. A .R.
- His sister Sarah was State President in 2015-16. Her project was a “Book by Me,” for children to interview relatives and record oral history. Her book “Hope is Never Lost” has been accepted at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D. C.
- His mother was State President in 1989-90. Her project was placing signage at Albany Mounds State Park.
- His uncle Matthew Henneman was State President in 1985-6. Henneman raised money for signage at the Ronald Reagan Home in Dixon, IL.
- His grandmother Luanne Bruckner is the Honorary Senior State President of Illinois C. A. R.
Bryn Callahan, a member of the Charles Carroll Society, Children of the American Revolution, was installed as Illinois President in Arlington, VA, in April. He is an incoming Senior at Moline High School, where is plays in the orchestra, sings in the choir, and is on the soccer team.
He recently won the Rock Island 4-H speaking contest and his first round at the State 4-H speaking contest. A member 4-H Magical Muggles Club, Bryn shows rabbits and has won first place in Citizenship at the Illinois State Fair.