The Hendricks/Demonbreun Family Tree

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 17 September 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Speaker for the evening will be John H. Hendricks of Callahan, Nassau, Florida.

John was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1959, the youngest of five children. His family lived outside of Callahan, Florida, in a small house located within yards of the Atlantic Coast Line’s main double-tracked line. Those many trains constantly racing by his home day and night would forever cement in his psyche his love for trains and railroads. While growing up, John loved to draw and study railroad maps, road atlases, and old buildings. He would pursue these interests at the University of Florida, where in 1988 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in construction and design. Upon his return to Callahan in the 1990s, John ‘s new appreciation of historic structures and buildings eventually led him in 2005 to join the West Nassau Historical Society. He is currently president of the all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit, which is based inside the quaint, yet historic 1881 Callahan Train Depot. John uses his position with the Historical Society to further foster and promote Nassau County’s rich and diverse history and culture. One of the highlights of his many years of historical research is the 2012 publication of his book on Daniel Callahan, a prolific Irish American railroad contractor and his hometown’s namesake.

John still resides in Callahan and can be reached through the Historical Society’s Facebook page or via email: jhendricks459@aol.com