Josep Caritg
Josep Caritg  | |
|---|---|
| Born | Josep Caritg i Arnó May 12, 1841 Badalona, Catalonia, Spain |
| Died | February 6, 1897 (aged 55) Premià de Mar, Spain |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Landowner, real estate broker and politician |
| Known for | Mayor of Badalona, real estate activities |
| Political party | Liberal-Conservative Party |
| Spouse(s) | Josepa Argemí Vidal |
| Children | 5 |
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Josep Caritg i Arnó (12 May 1841 – 6 February 1897) was a Spanish landowner, property broker and politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as mayor of Badalona on two occasions during the Bourbon Restoration in the late 19th century.
Biography
Josep Caritg i Arnó was born in Badalona in 1841 into a prosperous family. He initially took over the family grocery business from his father. During the 1860s, however, he left the retail business after renting or selling the shop and began investing in land.
Among his major property acquisitions were lands formerly belonging to the Marquis of Rubí, including the area known as turó d'en Claris. The hill later became associated with his name and was known as Caritg. Much of the land was initially devoted to vineyards, and Caritg subsequently began producing wine himself. Alongside his agricultural activities, he worked as a broker dealing in both rural and urban properties. He also encouraged the development of residential buildings on land he owned in Badalona and Llinars del Vallès.[1]
Caritg was politically affiliated with the Conservative Party and became one of its prominent representatives in Badalona. His political opponents portrayed him as authoritarian, while later historical accounts have described him as a cacique within the political system of the Bourbon Restoration.
He entered municipal politics during the period surrounding the Glorious Revolution. Caritg served on the Badalona municipal council from 1876 to 1881 and again from 1883 to 1891. During his periods on the council, he also held the office of mayor from 1879 to 1881 and from 1884 to 1886.
His two mayoral administrations were followed by those of Francesc d'Assís Guixeras, who represented the liberal side of local politics. During his first period as mayor, Caritg established a charitable institution in 1881. In his second administration, he took an active role in the municipal response to a cholera outbreak.[2]
Death
Caritg died by suicide on 6 February 1897 in Premià de Mar. Contemporary reports attributed his death primarily to financial difficulties following a decline in the stock market. According to these accounts, the losses left him unable to repay money that he had borrowed from clients.
After his death, his family accepted the inheritance and arranged for Caritg's properties to be sold at auction in order to settle his outstanding debts.[3]
Personal life
Josep Caritg was married to Josepa Argemí Vidal, with whom he had five daughters, although one of them died during childhood.
Two of his daughters later married notable figures from Badalona. Carme married Joan Surroca, a pharmacist, while Concepció married Martí Pujol, a landowner who later became mayor of Badalona.[4]
Bibliography
- Palacio Serra, Francesc (2019). "L'alcalde Josep Caritg i Arnó, 1841-1897" (PDF). Carrer dels Arbres: revista anuari del Museu de Badalona. Museum of Badalona. 4th Period (4): 40–64.