John P. Curran was born in England to Irish immigrant parents, who later emigrated to St. Louis, Missouri. According to information published in the Performing Arts Archive, Curran was a child prodigy as a singer and yodeler, who then went on to team up with vaudevillian Frank F. Ward as “Ward and Curran.” Curran’s brothers Con P. and Florance founded and operated the successful St. Louis enterprise Con P. Curran Printing.
Curran died in Atlantic City on 21 Nov. 1930.
He married Ann Henry and they had a daughter Mrs. Daniel O’Donnell. He retired to Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, at age 60, twelve years before his death. According to his obituary, during his stage career and after retirement, he maintained an interest in the Fidelity Transfer Co., of which he was vice president.
John P. Curran is the uncle of our grandfather Ewald Curran.
Old Green River 