The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1939-03-24
JOHN c. CATALAN
SUCCUMBS TO
LONG ILLNESS

Mr.. Catalan, who was so years of
age last July, was born in WyandOtte
ard had lived here all of his life
Six years ago. in 1893, he suffered u
heart attack, and had been in feeble
health since that time His illness was
broken by occasional rallies when he
was able TO get about town and take
an active interest in affairs.
He was born Of family which left
Tipperary. Ireland. in the sos and set
tied in WyandOtte Two brothers, Rich
ard Z. Catalan and Dr. James Caha-
Ian. died many years ago. The former
was a pharmacist who, with his bro
ther John. established the present Ca
halan Drug Stores. Inc. 90 years ago.
DIR. Catalan was a man with a wonder
FIJI talent professionally, and a heart
that won every one to him.
1t was in this family setting that
John G. Catalan began his climb in life.
Fairly in his career. he developed a
talent for politics. He was thorough
Going DeplOcrat by conviction, and re-
manned faithful To his principles to the
end.
He first achieved prominence in this
field when he was chosen as member
rf the Democratic state central com
n'ittee For four years, from 1886 to
1890. he waS a deputy in the office of
the Wayne county clerk. Two years
Later, in 1892 he went to Chicago 10
help nominate Grover Cleveland for his
second presidential term.
For 20 years. from 1924 10 1914, he
was connected with the internal re-
venue Office in Detroit from 1894 to
1899 as chief deputy collector, and
from 1899 to 1914 as gauger of alco-
hOlic beverages.
Still later. he attended two Demo
cratic national cOnventiOnS-in 1928
as a delegate To the Houston cOnven-
ton which nominated AL Smith for
president, and in 1892 at the cOnven-
ton in Chicago which nominated
Franklin u. Roosevelt.
During the administration of Gov
eTnor William 4. COmstOck, he was ap-
pointed a member of the ROrt Commits
sion. and vas reappOinted by Republi-
can Governor Frank ID. Fitzgerald.
In earlier life Mr.. Catalan educated
himself to be a lawyer, and was adj
united to the bar in 1898. But he never
followed the profession as a means of
livelihood He was also a pharmacist
His business affiliations included ::
\ director and vice president of the
WyandOtte Savings bank since 1904,
and a director of the Beals K Selkirk
Trunk Company, a WyandOtte indus
try. His partnership in the Catalan
Drug Company has been already refer
red to.
But Mr.. Catalan did not permit bus
mess and political activities TO absorb
al of his time. He was for years pres
ident of the Island Country club on
crosse He. and largelS due to his eff
forts the club proSpered and grew in
membership until faced by the disaster
IF 1929.
\ PLAGUE in the old club house at
tested the esteem and appreciation Of
the membership.
Fought for Municipal Plant
1t was mainly through a long drawn
out fight 10y John G. Catalan and the
late Thomas ID. Evans that Wyandotte
has municipal lighting plant today.
The battle was a bitter one, with no
quarter asked for or given on either
side. 1t resulted eventually in city
ownership But before that was ac-
cOmplished there were several cleo
tions and much litigation in court.
MIR. Galatians spacious and com
Portable home at Orange and Fourth
streets was a gathering place for De-
Inocratic politicians Of both state and
national reputation. In 1888 Postmas-
ter General James A. Farley came
down from Detroit. while on a visit to
that city, especially TO see his old
friend John.
When Frank Murphy made his first
and successful campaign for governor,
he was guest at the Catalan home.
Many party leaders in the state
came there for consultation.
Two of the dead mans warm friends
were Louis f. ROwley. Lansing news
paper man and dispenser Of patronage
in the Sixth congressional district dur
ing one Of President Cleveland's terms.
and the late John f. CrOtty, Lansing
bookseller and sage for over sixty
years. who died only few years ago.
Sympathy from Washington
One Of the first to extend cOndol-
epces to the bereaved family was Uni
tee States Attorney General Frank
Murphy. who wired from Washington ;
The news saddens me more than
can tell you. No better man. no better
friend lived in Michigan. Kindly, cul-
tGred and progressive, he was an orna-
.ment to refined society in our state. =
Mr.. Cahalan's wife died many years
ago. He leaves three SONS and three
daughters John C.. Jr.. former mana-
ger of the state sales tax branch office
i'm Detroit: Dr. Richard &. Catalan.
living at home: w. leo Catalan. law
yer and member Of the Municipal Ser
vice Commission: Miss Marion Cah,-
lau. Mrs. Frederifk~J. Schroeder of
Hetroit. and Miss Catherine Catalan.
There are also II grandchildren and
Que great -grandchild.
The last rites were performed yeSter-
day morning. There was a service at
the home at 10 o'clock, followed by