Luke Cloran

LUKE W. CLORAN

 Luke W. Cloran, 519 Vernon, remembers John Campbell as the elderly gentleman who used to walk along Railroad Street almost daily.

At that time, Luke, a young man just out of school, was an “Ace” in dipping a scoop into a cracker barrel, and getting an even pound of soup crackers, just as he is an “Ace” today with his Irish wit, was working for Cloran Brothers grocery.

Railroad Street, in about 1890, was made famous by the Clorans in the grocery business.  For many years and even today, people who shop on Railroad Street deal with Cloran’s.

Owen P. and Matt A. Cloran conducted a big store at 137 Railroad, and Martin F. and Joe J. Cloran’s grocery was in the same block at 129 Railroad Street.

It was really a case of Cloran vs. Cloran.  Cloran Bros. vs. M. & J. Cloran, who were also brothers, “but we all were friends and worked in close harmony,” recalls Luke W. Cloran, who worked at the corner store known as Cloran Brothers.

The newspapers during the gay 90’s often printed items about prominent businessmen, calling them Mr. Hill, Mr. Steece, or Mr. Moulton. Still, when it came to the Clorans, they had to use double initials, as there were too many who liked the grocery business, and the newspapers could not merely print it, “Mr. Cloran, the grocer.”

Obituary of Luke Cloran, Sr.
Portsmouth Daily Times, 29 Aug 1922, page two

Ironton, Aug. 29. – Luke Cloran, Sr., for over half a century one of Ironton’s upright, honorable citizens, closed his eyes in everlasting sleep Sunday night at eleven o’clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Owen Mulligan, of Seventh and Hecla Streets.

Mr. Cloran was past seventy years of age, and his death was due to the infirmities of old age. Mr. Cloran was born in Ireland and emigrated to this country in the early 1850s.

He came to Cincinnati, went to Kentucky for a brief season of work, and in 1855 came to Ironton, where he resided continuously until his death.

He was employed as a brick layer’s attendant at the mills for more than twenty-five years, but for a number of years past, he has been too aged and infirm for active pursuits.

Until her removal from the city and later her death, Mr. Cloran resided with his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth McCarty. He was widely known in Ironton and was an estimable and highly esteemed citizen.

Surviving Mr. Cloran are the following children: Mrs. Owen Mulligan of Ironton; Mrs. James Mulligan of Columbus; Mrs. Julia Colin of Columbus; F. Cloran of Oregon, and Mrs. Anna Colin, of Charleston, WV. The deceased children are Elizabeth McCarthy, Mrs. James Casey, and John Cloran.

The funeral services will be held at St. Lawrence Church Wednesday morning, and the interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.