Memorable Manitobans: John Philpot Curran (1858-1928)

Lawyer, civil servant, judge.

Born at Milan, Ohio on 13 December 1858, son of John Philpot Curran, he came to Canada with his father and settled at London, Ontario. He later returned to Ohio but again came back to Ontario in 1859. He took up the study of law and, in 1881, came to Winnipeg. He practiced law for seven years and was also a law clerk in the legislative assembly under the Norquay government. He later practiced law at Carberry and Minnedosa until January 1902 when he was appointed district registrar of the Neepawa land titles office. He moved to Brandon in 1908 and became a partner in the law firm of Coldwell and Coleman. In October 1912 he was appointed to the Manitoba Court of King's Bench, a position he held until his death.

In 1883, he married Emily Grant Hayden of Ottawa. They had six children: Hayden Curran, Veysie Curran, Lionel Edward Curran, John Philpot Curran, Sarah Helen Curran, and Robert Emmett Curran. He was a member of the IOOF and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

He died at Winnipeg on 9 January 1928 and was buried in St. John’s Cemetery.

Sources:

A History of Manitoba: Its Resources and People by Prof. George Bryce, Toronto: The Canadian History Company, 1906.

Death registration for J. P. Curran, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Mr. Justice Curran dies from operation” Newspaper clipping dated 10 January 1928. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B8]

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 14 September 2009

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