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THE CAHALAN
FAMILY
of Wyandotte, is descended from James
and Mary Cahalan, pioneers, who came over from
Ireland to Wyandotte in 1856. James Cahalan
found e.'t1ployment with Captain E. B. Ward,
then at the head of the Eureka Iron and Steel
Company. remaining with the Company up to the
time of his death in 1885. His wife died in
1902 at the age of eighty-six. Three sons of
this couple, who braved the perils of the
Atlantic to find peace and happiness in our
free land, were destined to play no small part
in the development and social life of their
home city. They were Dr. James, Richard F.,
and John C. Cahalan. Of the three, John C.
alone survives. All except John C. were born
in Tipperary County. Ireland coming to America
with their parents.
Dr, James
Cahalan was born in 1849, In early boyhood he
gave evidence of great ability, and his
parents, at the cost of many sacrifices,
determined to give him a college education, He
first devoted five years to the classics at
St, Joseph's College, Bardstown, KY. Then two
years studying for the priesthood, philosophy
of the schoolmen, at Mount St, Mary's
Seminary, Cincinnati, 0. Here he was a
classmate of Bishop O'Dorohue, Deciding that
the priesthood was not his vocation he
returned to Wyandotte. Four years later he
entered McGill University, considered at that
time to have the best medical department in
North America, After four years he returned
again to Wyandotte to practice medicine.
 Successful
from the start, he soon was acknowledged as
one of the most skillful diagnosticians and
internal medicine men in Wayne County, being
frequently called in consultation by the
foremost surgeons of Detroit. His Wyandotte
practice grew to be the largest in the
down-river district.
In 1888, he
married Miss Anna Melody, member of an- other
old Wyandotte family. One year later he died,
leaving a son, the present James Cahalan. Dr.
Cahalan was a life-long Democrat, and he
exercised a potent influence in the affairs of
his home city. December 11, 1903, he died as
the result cf an operation for perforation of
the bowels, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was a
director of the Wyandotte Savings Bank, member
of the Wayne County Medical Society, belonged
to the K. C., C. M. B. A., Maccabees and A. 0.
U. W.
Richard E.
Cahalan was educated in Wyandotte and Detroit
schools, thereafter teaching for many years in
the parochial schools at Jackson. In 1879 he
became a member of the drug firm of Cahalan
Brothers, being operated by his brothers, Dr.
James and John C. By hard work and the most
conscientious methods, Mr. Cahalan, who for
the most part managed the business, built up a
lucrative trade that rapidly grew and netted
him the recognition due one of the foremost
druggists of Wayne County. Mr. Cahalan loved
to travel, and boasted an intimate
acquaintance with nearly every section of the
United States. He was renowned throughout his
home district for his good nature and ready
wit. Those who knew him best voted him a kind,
considerate, cultured gentleman of the old
school. His charities were numerous but
unostentatious. He was a generous patron of
St. Mary's College at Monroe. He never
married, making his home at the Wyandotte
residence of his brother, John C. Cahalan. He
passed away in May, 1909.
John C. Cahalan,
one of the few living graduates of the old and
famous "Brown School,'. was born in Wyandotte.
In 1879 he became associated with his
brothers, Dr. James and R. E. Cahalan, when
the drug firm of Cahalan Brothers was formed.
From the start the firm prospered, and has had
the respect and enjoyed the confidence of the
entire community. All of the brothers were
self-made men, and all of them attained more
than ordinary success.
In 1887,
Mr. Cahalan retired from active participation
in the firm, though retaining his interest,
and became Clerk of the Wayne County Circuit
Court. Retiring from this office in eight
years he joined the Internal Revenue Service,
and there he remained in various capacities
for twenty-one
years. About
July 14. 1915. Mr. Cahalan retired from this
office to devote more attention to his large
and growing real estate and other interests in
Detroit and Wyandotte. He is a director and
stockholder in the Wyandotte Savings Bank, and
a director and vice-president of the Detroit
Metal Spinning Company.
In 1890. he
and three others secured for Wyandotte its
first lighting system. He was one of the three
pioneers in the electric railway lines of
Michigan. The same year he and two others
secured and owned a street railway franchise
from the Detroit City Hall to Wyandotte. and
which was the first suburban franchise to be
granted in Michigan. Though one of the largest
tax payers of Wyandotte. he is nevertheless a
strong advocate of public improvements. He was
a power in the agitation that secured for
Wyandotte its sewers and pavements. He is a
life-long Democrat. and active in the affairs cf his party in lower Wayne County. His
acquaintance is wide, and not only is he well
known and popular in Wyandotte, but throughout
the State as well.
James E.
Cahalan, son of the late Dr. James Cahalan,
was born in Wyandotte in 1.889. He is a
graduate of the literary and law departments
of the University of Detroit, and is at
present engaged in the practice of law at
Wyandotte. In 1910, Mr. Cahalan re~eivedfrom
the University of Detroit the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. In 1912, he received the
degree of Master of Arts, and in 1915, the
degree of Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Cahalan is
descended from one of Wyandotte's oldest
families. His friends are numerous, and he is
well supplied with this world's goods. A
roseate future lies before this talented young
attorney.
John F.
Mclnerney. Postmaster at Wyandotte. came to
this city when a young man to associate
himself with the firm of Cahalan Brothers. his
uncles. From the position of clerk, he worked
his way up to be head of the firm. its
President. He received his appointment as
postmaster from President Wilson in January,
1915. The appointment was in recognition of
Mr. Mclnerney's executive ability and of his
long and loyal service to his party. He
conducts his office on the principle that the
postmaster's first duty is to serve the
public. This he impresses upon those
associated with him in his office. and the
success of this principle is at- tested to by
the popularity it has gained for itself and
its originator. with the people of the city.
Mr. Mclnerney is also active in the insurance
business of Wyandotte. An ardent American, he
has taken a compelling interest in the
citizenship of the foreign born. He devotes
much of his time to the instruction of the new
comers in the duties of American citizenship
and the ideals of this country.
The above
content researched @ the Wyandotte Historical
Museum
The Cahalan
Fire
[ March 16th.
2001 ]
Businesses
Effected:
Art
by Marionette - B.C. Beans - Caribbean
Colors - C.C. Neal Art Gallery
Fuentes Gallery - Guild Gallery - Nana's Kitchen - Patty Izzo Studio
Gallery
RSC productions - Sharon Sims Studio Gallery
Current Status of Business:
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Art
by Marionette -
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Un-known
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B.C. Beans -
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Closed |
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Caribbean Colors -
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Un-known |
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C.C. Neal Art Gallery -
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Closed |
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Fuentes
Gallery -
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Relocated to
904 Oak Street |
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Guild
Gallery -
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Un-known |
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Nana's
Kitchen -
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Rebuilt,
same location |
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Patty Izzo
Studio Gallery -
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Relocated to
Biddle
(above RP McMurphy's) |
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RSC
productions -
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Relocated in Wyandotte |
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Sharon Sims Studio Gallery -
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Relocated to
Biddle
(above RP McMurphy's) |
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