Obituary: Portage County, Wisconsin: John D. CURRAN 

Stevens Point Daily Journal 
April 1, 1899 

John D. Curran Son of Postmaster Henry Curran Succumbs 

After a Long Illness John D. Curran, jr., died in the family apartments in the Curran house 
at 8 o'clock Friday night after an illness of two years with Bright's disease, which developed 
into an acute form about a month ago. During the latter period, the patient has suffered 
innumerable severe hemorrhages from the nasal passages. Since last Saturday, he has been 
unconscious most of the time but once or twice rallied sufficiently to call some of his 
intimate friends by name. The resistance with which his physique has withstood the wasting 
ravages of the disease has been wonderful. 

John David Curran, the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Curran, was born at the Curran 
house on February 9, 1874, and has always made his home here. He attended the public schools 
and graduated from the high school in the class of 1891. He then entered St. John's Military 
academy at Delafield, where he spent two years, graduating in 1893. During his first year 
there he received the Dr. Delafield medal for "the most worthy boy." He also received medals 
for "general athletics" and "rowing" at Delafield. His record in the school as a student and 
for his influence over the younger students was such that at his graduation he was asked to 
remain in the school as an instructor in the preparatory department. He occupied this position 
for two years with great success, resigning to enter the University. 

Here he entered the modern classical course and would have graduated next June but ill health 
compelled him to give up his studies at the end of the sophomore year. During the summer of 1897, 
the symptoms of his disease first attracted his attention. His physicians advised complete rest 
and discontinuance of all study, realizing even then that he was beyond the reach of medicine. 

He left in December for the south and remained at Hot Springs and Mt. Valley Springs until the 
following April, when he returned home and has since been employed at light duties about the 
hotel until his recent illness. John was a very quiet and reserved young man, keeping his affairs 
closely to himself, and consequently but few even of his intimates knew how serious his condition 
was, or in fact that he was ill at all. 

During his last illness, Nathan Decker of Sturgeon Bay, a class-mate of John's at Delafield and a 
warm friend, has been here assisting in making him as comfortable as possible and in lightening the 
gloom that usually hovers over the bedside where there is no hope. 

While at Delafield and at Madison John earned a considerable reputation as an athlete in baseball 
and football. He was a sub on the University football team and was afforded several opportunities 
to get into the big games, where he acquitted himself with credit. He was tall and straight, well 
knit and muscular, and it was undoubtedly due to his athletic frame that he survived so long. He was 
a young man of bright intellect, very genial in his quiet, reserved way and always had a kindly 
greeting for everyone. 

He intended to make his career in law, expecting to go through the University law school after 
completing the regular course. During the past eight years he has been at home so little of kept 
so closely that he was not widely known here, but all who did know him held him in highest respect. 

Besides his father and mother, he leaves a sister, Miss Florence, and a brother, Henry, to bear the 
pain of his departure. Russell D. Walker, a cousin, who from childhood lived with the Currans, and 
who for years was known as Russ Curran, must also be regarded as a brother. He recently returned home 
from Portland, Ore., to be with him in his last illness. 

The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Episcopal church, of which deceased 
was a member, Rev. R.H. Weller officiating.



************************************************************************ 
Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> June 2004    

© All rights reserved. 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm 
************************************************************************