Callaway, NE

The Village of Callaway derives its name from that of Samuel R. Callaway, who was vice president and general manager of the Union Pacific Railway when the Wood River grade from Kearney was made, and the promoters of the new town on the Loup — at the end of the line — gave the town his name.

Born Dec. 24, 1850 at Toronto, Ont. , Canada, he entered the railway service as office boy in 1863 at the age of 13 and in less than 40 years became president of the American Locomotive Co.,, the greatest concern of its kind in the world.

The June 3, 1904, issue of The Callaway Courier states that S. R. Callaway died the previous Wednesday in New York City.

Callaway, the hub of the legendary Seven Valleys, is located in the South Loup Valley in Southwest Custer County on parts of Sections 3, 2, 10, 11 in Township 15, Range 23; parts of which were homesteaded by Albert Deems, Nicholas M. Morgan, Ira Graves, Harry E. O'Neill, Mark H. Deems, James Wood Smith, Charles D. Whaley, and William Whipple.

The First Seal of Callaway Village is still in use: Callaway, Neb., Incorporated Jan. 13, 1888, on the outer circle; the word "Excelsior" in quotes and a plow and open book within the circle. The definition of the word Excelsior is "higher, always upward.” It is also used as motto on the New York State seal.

The First Village Board consisted of J. Wood Smith, Chairman; M. H. Deems, clerk; A. L. Mathews, M. Schneringer, and John Moran.

In the early days of the village of Callaway, the ability of the men to constitute the town board for the ensuing year appeared to be of secondary consideration. The principal thought was what they represented — saloon or no saloon.