Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan – 1891

Robert Callow, a popular salesman of Pontiac, was born in the city of Pontiac, April 30, 1848. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth (Moth) Callow, the father being a retired blacksmith and farmer. He was born in the parish of Cape Pine (Andreas), Isle of Man, June 4, 1808, and is the seventh of ten children of John and Catherine (Cormode) Callow. The grandfather of our subject was a merchant.
Charles Callow received a limited education and learned the blacksmith's trade in his native place. He removed to Newburg, N.Y., and then to Buffalo, where he worked at his trade. From the latter place he went to Elyria, Ohio where he carried on blacksmithing on his own account for four years. In the spring of 1830 (1834), he came to Pontiac, Michigan, and after awhile started a blacksmith shop which he carried on a term of years. He bought eighty acres of land, from which he chopped off the timber at the same time that he carried on his blacksmithing and farming. He erected a good house and barn and furnished his farm abundantly with outbuildings. He resides just within the east limit of the city.
The parents of our subject were united in marriage April 27, 1838. The mother was a native of England where she was born August 6, 1813, her death occuring April 3, 1891. Eight children blessed their union: Catherine, who died in Pontiac; Charles M., died in 1876; Walter T., who died in infancy; William, deceased; Eliza J., who died at the age of seventeen years; Robert K.; Annie, deceased; and James, who married Nellie Adams of Pontiac. Charles Callow served one term as Alderman of the third ward. He is a staunch Democrat in his political views and he cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and his last for Grover Cleveland.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Pontiac, receiving his education in the city schools. At the age of sixteen he entered the store of John Pound and Alexander Collins. He remained with them as clerk for one year and then clerked in the grocery store of Thomas Turk. After several years in this store he went to Grand Rapids for a portion of a year, being in the employ there of J.E. Moroney. Returning to Pontiac he clerked for M. Moutier for a year. In September, 1883, he entered the employ of Bird & Hamlin, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, with whom he still continues. His marriage took place in March, 1872 (1874). He was then united with Libby (Elizabeth) M., daughter of Francis and Margaret (Usher) Locklin (Lochlien), of Pontiac. Mr. and Mrs. Callow have six children - Annie, Guy, Irene, Robert, Daisy and Lela. Mr Callow is rather conservative in politics but generally votes the Democratic ticket. He is a member of Oakland County Lodge No. 183, I.O.O.F. and the National Union. He has also served two terms as Alderman from the Fourth ward.