Douglas Curran [DS.5]
Born in Scotland, probably in Nov 1847.
Married Josephine circa 1877 in St. Louis.
Died after 1 June 1900.

Census Data:

1 June 1860: Ward 10, Chicago IL
(Census roll 168, page 518, line 20, spelled "Dnnis Curan", age 11, attended school within the year, born in Scotland; and page 519, line 1, spelled "Dennis Curran, age 13, attended school within the year, born in Scotland; both parents born in Ireland)
 
 

1 June 1880 census: Roll 727, E.D. 70, Sheet 9; stamped page 545
Family 93, 2nd Enumeration 10 Aug 1880
314 Howard Street, St. Louis, MO

Line
Person

Age
  Job Born in Father born Mother born

17
Curran,
Douglass

32
  Broomaker Scotland Ireland Ireland

18
___ Josephine

26

Wife
Keeping house Missouri Missouri Missouri

19
___ George H.

1

Son
  Missouri Scotland Missouri

20
___ Joseph

1

Son
  Missouri Scotland Missouri

The census records of 1860 and 1880 indicate that Douglas [DS.5] was born in the year ending 31 May 1848. Both statements are consistent with the date of Nov 1847 listed in the census records of 1900.

 

1 Jun 1900 census: Roll 253, E.D. 229, Sheet 18 B, lines 89 to 91.
Enumerated 14 June 1900. Family 314
538 W. 15th St., Ward 9, West Town, Chicago, Cook
County, Illinois

Person
  Birth Age Mar
Stat
Born Person/
Father/Mother

Immi-
grat.
Yrs
in US
Job
Curran, Douglas J. Head Nov 1847 52 Wd Scot/Scot/Scot

1849
51 Coal Dealer
___ Howard F. Son Jan 1881 19 S MO/Scot/MO     Clerk
___ Allen A. Son Dec 1886 13 S MO/Scot/MO     Messenger Boy

 

Saint Louis Directories
1866 Curran Dennis Jr.; clerk Dennis Curran; bds. 430 Broadway
1872 Curran Douglas J.; broom maker Harmon & Doyle; r. 1425 Broadway
1874 Curran Dug; clerk; 1421 Broadway
1875 Curran Douglass; broom maker; bds. 1335 N 6th
1877 Curran Douglas; broom; bds. 521 O'Fallon
1878 Curran D. J.; broom; Sam'l Cupple & Co.
1879 Curran Douglas J.; brooms; 1702 B'way, r. 1429 B'way
1880 Curran Douglass J.; brooms; r. 314 Howard
1881 Curran Douglass J.; broom; R. 314 Howard
1882 Curran Douglas J.; broom; r. 314 Howard
1883-1884 Curran Douglas J.; broom; r. 314 Howard
1884-1885 Curran Douglas J.; broom; r. 1213 Hebert
1885-1886 Curran Douglas J.; broom; r. 1417 N Broadway
1886-1887 Curran Douglas J.; broom; r. 1415 Broadway

 

Chicago Directories
1895 Curran Douglas J. broommkr. bds. 695 Centre av
1896 Curran Douglas, broommkr. h. 613 Blue Island av.
1900 Curran Dennis boxmkr h 839 Allport
1904 Curran Howard F clk h 221 N Ashland av
1907 Curran Howard lab h 1522 S 40th av
1908 Curran Howard F clk h 733 S Avers av
1909 Curran Howard F clk h 733 Avers av
1910 Curran Howard F electrician h 2438 E Springfield av
1911 Curran Howard F electrician h 2458 S Springfield av
1912 Curran Howard F clk h 2439 S Harding av
1913 Curran Howard F clk h 2439 S Harding av
1914 Curran Howard F clk h 2439 S Harding av
1916 Curran Howard F clk h 2139 S Harding av
1917 Curran Howard F clk h 2439 S Harding av

In the listings from Chicago Directories, I have included both Douglas [DS.5] and his son Howard F. Curran [DS.5.3] since the latter apparently lived out his life in Chicago. On the other hand, Allen A. Curran [DS.5.4] was never listed in the Chicago Directories but did turn up in the household of his uncle James J. Curran [DS.8] in St. Louis for the census of 1910.

According to his nephew, George William Curran, Douglas [DS.5] moved with his parents and siblings from Chicago to St. Louis circa 1860 but then moved back to Chicago with his brothers George [DS.1] and Daniel [DS.4]. He stayed in Chicago for a while but then moved back to St. Louis where he was living at the time of his death.

 

Sometime between 1866 and 1872, Dennis Jr. began to appear in records as Douglas J. In our oral history in St. Louis, he was remembered only as Douglas in 1980. I suspect that his first name was "Denis" and his middle name was "Douglas".

 

Sometime before 1866, Douglas [DS.5] moved back to the Saint Louis area. The census records of 1880 and 1900 indicate that he married Josephine (born in Missouri in year ending 31 May 1854) and had at least four children:

DS.5.1 George H. Curran (born in year ending 31 May 1880)
DS.5.2 Joseph Curran (born in year ending 31 May 1880)
DS.5.3 Howard F. Curran (b. Jan 1881)
DS.5.4 Allen A. Curran (b. Dec 1886)

 

Considering only the date of birth of the oldest child and the year in which Douglas ceased to live with his parents, I assume that Douglas married Josephine in St. Louis circa 1877. The fact that the twins were named George and Joseph leads me to suspect that Joseph [DS.10], the youngest brother of Douglas, died before 1880.

 

The Chicago Directory indicates that Douglas [DS.5] and his brother Daniel [DS.4] were living at the same address in Chicago in 1895. In June 1900, Douglas was living about one-eighth mile from the home of his brother Daniel [DS.4]. Only Howard [DS.5.3] and Allen [DS.5.4] were living with Douglas [DS.5]. Josephine [DS.5S], George [DS.5.1], and Joseph [DS.5.4] were gone. Douglas [DS.5] was a "Coal Dealer". This is consistent with the oral history in Chicago which said that Daniel [DS.4] sold coal and lumber and owned several horses and wagons which he used in that occupation. Daniel's death certificate said that he was a retired lumber dealer. I presume that Douglas and Daniel were in business together but I have heard no oral history to that effect.

 

George William Curran [DS.8.3] said that Douglas [DS.5] married and had two children (both girls) of whom one was named Genevieve. The two girls were both said to be deceased. I have found no confirmation of the existence of any daughters of Douglas [DS.5].

George William Curran [DS.8.3] said that Douglas [DS.5] was crippled in one leg. Eventually, the lower part of the leg was amputated. He had only one leg at the time of his death.

George William Curran [DS.8.3] said that Douglas [DS.5] may have worked for the Western Electric Company.

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