Francis X. Callahan was born during April 1853 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

His father, James, enlisted with Battery C, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery as a Corporal on June 13, 1861. He later transferred to Battery D and mustered out on June 21, 1864 as an Orderly Sergeant.

Francis joined the Order in 1885. He was a member of the Anna M. Ross Camp No. 1 and the Gen. John F. Reynolds Camp No. 4 which were both located in Philadelphia. He was Pennsylvania's Division Commander in 1912.

He was appointed to the Philadelphia police force in 1889, became a House Sergeant in 1893, Street Sergeant in 1897, Lieutenant in 1898, and Captain in 1906. He resigned in 1913, came back to the force three years later, and retired in 1920 after 29 years of service. Before joining the police force, Francis was a color maker and a painter.

Francis was a member of the Ivanhoe Lodge No. 449 F. & A.M. and the Franklin Lodge No. 5 Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

He married Annie Wisener (maiden name unknown) around 1885 and he helped raise her three children.

Brother Callahan died on September 11, 1925 at his home in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.