Dennis Joseph Callahan
Dennis Joseph Callahan was born in Dorchester on May 17, 1891, to Timothy and Bridget Callahan. Timothy was a teamster. By 1910 the family was living at 259 Hancock, Street. The 1910 Census shows that Dennis, who was 18,had a brother Timothy, two years older, and eight younger siblings: Daniel, 17; John, 16; Jeremiah, 14; Julia, 13; Michael, 11; Patrick, 9; James, 7; and Arthur, 3.
On January 12, 1917, Dennis married Agnes V. Callahan, whose maiden and married names were both Callahan. They had a daughter, Eleanor Agnes, in 1918. When Dennis provided information for his draft registration card, he reported that he was a freight handler for the Central Vermont Railroad Company in New London, Connecticut. He was living at Hancock Street with his family. He was described: of medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair. During 1917, he and Agnes moved to 6 Conrad Street.
Dennis was inducted into the Army on October 5, 1917, and went overseas in July, 1918. His record shows his assignment to various units: Ent. 5 Oct., 1917, Co. D, 301st Inf., 76th Div.; trans. 26 March, 1918 to Hq. Co., 301st Inf.; 30 July to Military Specialists, Co. 1, 1st Depot Div.; to Hq Co., 27th Div.; 17 Aug. to Hq. Co., 102d Engrs., 27th Div.; 20 Aug. to Co. A, 102d Engrs. Overseas 6 July, 1918. He served in St. Emilie; Somme Offensive; Ypres-Lys; Defensive Sector.
Dennis was killed in action 28 Sept., 1918 in an attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bellecourt. By the 1920 Census Agnes and Eleanor were living on Buttonwood Street. On March 29, 1921, the Boston Globe reported: ” The body of Dennis J. Callahan private in Co A, 102d Engineers, killed while engaged with comrades in penetrating the Hindenburg line in the World War, reached his home, 6 Conrad St., Dorchester, this morning. There will be a military funeral Thursday morning, with mass of requiem in St. Margaret’s Church at 9 o’clock. Callahan is survived by his wife and 3-year-old daughter Eleanor.
In 1921 a hero square was named for Dennis J. Callahan at the junction of East Street, Freeport Street and Dorchester Avenue.
Sources:
Boston Globe, March 29, 1921.
The Gold Star Record of Massachusetts. Edited by Eben Putnam. (Boston, 1929). Volume 2, 268.
Marriage record on FamilySearch.org
US Census 1910 on Ancestry.com for Dennis; 1920 Census for Agnes and Eleanor.
WWI draft registration card on Ancestry.com
WWI service card. Military, Compiled Service Records. World War I. Carded Records. Records of the Military Division of the Adjutant General’s Office, Massachusetts National Guard.