It would be difficult to find a man more emphatically in accord with the true Western spirit of progress, or more keenly alive to the opportunities awaiting the intelligent man of affairs in Pomona Valley than Charles P. Curran, who has built up a successful lumber business, and identified himself with the best undertakings of his district. A native of Illinois, Mr. Curran was born in Dixon, May 4, 1863, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Donoghue) Curran. His father was a prominent contractor and builder of Dixon for forty years.
Educated in the public schools of Dixon, Mr. Curran entered the high school there, but did not finish the course, and for a time worked with his father, later joining him in business for a number of years. In the spring of 1895, he came to California, and settled in Norwalk on a ranch for one and one-half years. Then, because of his wife's health, he went to Prescott, Ariz., stayed there the same length of time, and finally took his wife back to Illinois and her death occurred in Chicago, in 1898. After this sad event Mr. Curran worked for a time at Polo, Ill., then returned to California and for several months worked for the gas company in Los Angeles.
In June, 1902, he came to Pomona, and with his brother, Frank Curran, opened the lumber yard with which he has been so successfully identified ever since. He later bought out his brother's interest in the business, and now his sons are a part of the firm, which still maintains the firm name of Curran Brothers, Incorporated.
Mr. Curran's first marriage united him with Miss Alice McGrath, the ceremony taking place September 20, 1890. Two sons were born to them: Phillip J., who served with the United States Army in France; and Gerald. The wife and mother died February 24, 1898.
On February 20, 1913, Mr. Curran was united in marriage with Grace A. Ager, a native of Minnesota. A man of considerable force of character, and deeply interested in furthering the development of the Valley, Mr. Curran has proven an active worker toward that end since first taking up his residence here. Of the original directors and organizers of the Savings Bank of Pomona he is the only one now serving on the board; he was one of the original organizers of the Home Builders Association of this city. Mr. Curran was a member of the original Board of Trade here and has for the past fourteen years been on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce; for the same length of time he has been serving on the Hospital Board. In fraternal organizations he is a member of the Elks and of the Knights of Pythias.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 10/07/08, Pages 522 & 525
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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