Person:John Culligan (3)

Our brother, John Maurice Culligan, M.D., was born in Yankton, South Dakota, on January 17, 1895. He died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 7, 1957.

He and his brother, Emmett, entered St. Thomas Military Academy in 1907 and were boarders until 1909, when mother, Leo and I came to St. Paul and rented a furnished home in Merriam Park. We later lived in a rented house on Marshall Avenue. In 1912, Mother built a home at 2069 Iglehart Avenue, St. Paul.

John graduated from High School at St. Thomas in 1912 and from a two year college course in 1914. He then went to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, where he received a Bachelor of Literature in 1915. John referred a young St. Thomas Cadet by the name of Paul Castner to his friend Knute Rockne at the University of Notre Dame. Castner went on to become a two year All-American Football Player under Rockne and was the original fullback of the famed "Four Horseman".

In 1918 John received his Bachelor of Science at The University of Minnesota; in 1921 his Doctor of Medicine, and in 1925 his Master of Science degree in Urology through The Mayo Foundation. He had entered the Mayo Clinic in July, 1921 and remained there until October, 1925 when he went to St. Paul, where he practiced urological and general surgery.

From 1925 to 1933 he was an instructor in surgery at The University of Minnesota. He was a fellow in the American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association, a member of the American Urological Association, the Twin City Urological Society, the Minnesota Surgical Society, and the Alumni Association of the Mayo Foundation.

At the time of his death, he was Chief of the Surgical Staff at Ancher Hospital, St. Paul, and was a former Chief of Staff at St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul. He also was Past President of Ramsey County Medical Society and the St. Paul Surgical Society.

He contributed articles to Minnesota Medicine at various times. In the Journal of Urology of February, 1926, his Thesis was published. It was entitled "Phleboliths" and was submitted to the Graduate School of The University of Minnesota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Urology in November, 1924.

John's death was a shock to all of us. He had a massive stroke as he was finishing an operation at St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul. His son, David, a Pre-Medical student, was observing the operation and was the one who notified his mother and other members of the family. John recognized all of us as we rushed to his bedside but he did not rally and passed away that night. He was buried from St. Luke's Church, St. Paul. Monsignor John J. Cullinan, the Pastor, was the celebrant and gave a most inspiring eulogy of John's life and Medical Service. He was buried in the family lot at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, St. Paul, Minnesota.

John's life was that-of an excellent surgeon, an understanding and kindly physician, a loyal and generous friend, and a loving and devoted husband and father.

1946  Photo Description:John Maurice Culligan Family 

Family From Left to Right : John Austin Culligan, Mrs. Margaret McGovern, Margaret Honore Culligan, David Emmett Culligan, Robert Edwin Culligan, Francis Joseph Culligan, Molly Johanna Culligan, Dr. John Maurice Culligan.