Joseph Melvan was born on 1 March 1888.² He witnessed the naturalization of Philip Martin Granich on 23 September 1926 at Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.³ Andrija Marasović, Ivanica Marasovich, Edward Joseph Marasovic, Sister Mary Andrew Marasovich Order of Carmel, Joseph August Granich, Florence Barbara Granich, Marie Evelyn Granich, Genevieve A. Granich, Lorraine Rose Kovack, Unknown Padzich, Nikola Malenica, Marija Ivanica Kovack, Mate Kovačević, Zora Granich, Joseph Melvan, Joseph Komar, Joseph Hrstich, Mate Hrstich, Petar Koljanin, Mary Hrstich, Anna Hartman, Dorothy Josephine Granich, James Kovack and Mary Furlan attended the wedding of Jakov Radja and Draga Marasović on 4 May 1929 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Croatian Catholic Church, 2864 E. 96th Street, Chicago, Illinois.^1,4,5,6 The Dalmatinska Sloga (Dalmatian Concord) of South Chicago, with its 134 members became affiliated with the Croatian Fraternal Union in January 1931. For over fifty six years, CFU Lodge 17 continued to label itself as "Dalmatinska Sloga CFU Lodge 17" on 28 January 1931. On 11 November 1987, Lodge 17 was transferred to Lodge 229 of South Chicago.^7,8 He was elected as President (P) of Dalmatinska Sloga Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 17 for calendar year 1933 in 1932 at Chicago, Illinois.⁹

Joseph married Julia Unknown.¹⁰ He served as a witness for the Naturalization Petition of Andrija Marasović on 9 March 1939 at US District Court, Chicago, Illinois.¹¹ He lived at 10615 Avenue "F", Chicago, Illinois an unknown date .¹¹ He was elected as President, Board of Trustees (Pno.) of Dalmatinska Sloga Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 17 for calendar year 1941 in 1940 at Chicago.¹² He was elected as President (P) of Dalmatinska Sloga Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 17 for calendar year 1961 in 1960 at Chicago.¹³ He died in February 1975 at Chicago at age 86.²

Children of Joseph Melvan and Julia Unknown

Alexander Melvan (living)¹⁰
Gerry Melvan (living)¹⁰
August Melvan (living)¹⁰
Ambrose Melvan b. 16 Jun 1939, d. 31 Oct 2002¹⁰

Citations

1. [S43] Wedding party photograph, annotated, 29 May 1929, Jim Radja Library, Witnesses listed for the annotated wedding pohotgraph. Annotation provided by the bride..
2. [S17] Various People, Various files, Social Security Death Index, Family Search of the Family History Library.
3. [S219] Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the US District & Circuit Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and INS District 9(1840-1950).
4. [S121] Certificate, Jakov Radja and Dragica Marasovich marriage of 4 May 1929, presided over by Bonaventure Andacic and lists Joseph Hrstic and Mary Furlan as witnesses.
5. [S161] Interview, Carolyn and Jakov Radja, 24 June 1981.
6. [S534] Jakov & Caroline Wedding Reception Material, Unknown Vendor, 26 April 1929 Thomas G. Radja Library.
7. [S186] Dr. Ivan Čhizmić, History of the CFU of America, page 251.
8. [S547] Carolyn Radja CFU Records.
9. [S280] Lodge Secretary, "Lodge Officer Elections", 1932, Vol 27.
10. [S228] Interview, Donna Jean Radja Quirke, 20 July 2003.
11. [S236] National Archives & Records Administration, Great Lakes Region Naturalization Petition, 179789 (9 March 1939), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois.
12. [S280] Lodge Secretary, "Lodge Officer Elections", 1940, Vol 35.
13. [S280] Lodge Secretary, "Lodge Officer Elections", 1960, Vol 55.