John Callahan (Wisconsin politician)
John Callahan | |
|---|---|
Callahan c. 1929 | |
| 18th Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin | |
| In office July 1, 1921 – July 1, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Charles P. Cary |
| Succeeded by | George Earl Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 16, 1865 Goldens Bridge, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 1956 (aged 90) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Clayfield Catholic Cemetery, Ellsworth, Wisconsin |
| Spouse |
Mary Margaret Powers
(m. 1889; died 1939) |
| Children |
|
| Occupation | Educator |
John Callahan (December 16, 1865 – May 10, 1956) was an American educator and school system administrator from Pierce County, Wisconsin. He was Wisconsin's 18th superintendent of public instruction; he is the longest-serving state superintendent in Wisconsin history, serving 28 years, from 1921 to 1949. Before becoming state superintendent, Callahan was one of the early leaders of the Wisconsin Technical College System, he also served as superintendent of public schools in Menasha, Wisconsin.
As state superintendent, he is best remembered for his push to bring more vocational and home economics courses into the public primary schools, and for his efforts to consolidate Wisconsin's many small local and sub-local school districts into larger unified districts.