CURTIS, George M.

CURTIS, CARPENTER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 12:08:58

HON. GEORGE M. CURTIS 

One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men that has ever lived in Clinton is the Hon. George M. Curtis, who, in partnership with his brother, founded one of the most important enterprises that has contributed to the commercial activity and general prosperity of the city, he has been equally prominent in public affairs and has twice been honored with election to the legislative halls of the nations, where his ability as a statesman, as well as his genuine worth of character, gained for him the friendship and high regard of many men of national fame.

Mr. Curtis is a native of Chenango county, New York, born April 1, 1844, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Curtis, who were also natives of the same county. In 1856 his parents left the Empire state, and with their family removed to Illinois, settling in the vicinity of Rochelle, Ogle county. They took up their abode on a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which the father had purchased, and there he and his sons were actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1866, when they removed to Rochelle. Two years later they came to Clinton, Iowa. There were born to them ten children, three of whom still survive: George M., Charles F., and Cornelius S.

The first twelve years of the life of our subject were spent in his native state, and he then became identified with the great Mississippi valley, where he has since remained. He attended the district schools during the winter months and assisted in the labors of the home farm until sixteen years of age. He then became a student in Mt. Morris Seminary, at Mt. Morris, Illinois, and later he engaged in teaching school through the winter terms, while in the period of seedtime and harvest he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1862, however, he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, securing a clerkship in a store in Rochelle, where he was employed for two years. He afterward engaged in the coal business in Cortland, Illinois, and at Sycamore, in the same state, but after two years he sold out, and in April, 1867, came to Clinton, at which time he purchased an interest in the business which his brother was then in, and which had been established the previous year.

Under the firm name of Curtis Brothers & Company the business was conducted until 1881, when it was incorporated under the name of Curtis Brothers & Company. The members of the old firm were C. F. Curtis, G. M. Curtis and J. E. Carpenter, and they became and are still the principal members of the corporation. In thirty-five years the business has grown to be one of the most extensive of its kind in America, only one or two other factories in the entire country equalling (sic) it in their annual output. The company carries on a wholesale business in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, stairs, stair railings, balustrades, mouldings, lumber, lath and shingles, and employment is furnished to two hundred and fifty to three hundred and twenty-five men throughout the year. Their extensive plant is located on the river bank at Clinton and covers a very wide area. It is equipped with the most modern and improved machinery for turning out first-class work and capable mechanics are employed, so that its output has a reputation for excellence that commands a ready sale on the market.

The stockholders of this company are also the principal stockholders of the Curtis & Yale Company, which has factories at Wausau, Wisconsin, and has branch houses at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Curtis Brothers have branch houses at Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. These branch houses aid in disposing of the Clinton product, which is shipped over a vast extent of territory.

While first and always a business man, Mr. Curtis has at all times manifested a lively interest in the political affairs of his state and the nation. He has made a careful study of political matters, and few men in the country are better posted upon national affairs, especially as pertaining to the material welfare of its citizens. His business interests have been such as to require that he know what the effect of legislation would be upon the country at large. He was twice elected to serve his district as a member of congress, and during the two terms his influence was always felt upon the side of right, and for such legislation as would be beneficial to the people generally, and not to any special class.

While in congress Mr. Curtis was a member of the Committee on the District of Columbia, which is one of the most active committees in congress, and much of the time he served as chairman pro tem of the committee. From this committee he probably reported and had charge of more bills than any other member during his term of service in the fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth congresses. He was especially active in the interests of his city and county, and it was through his influence that the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars for the government building in the city, and twenty ber of the legislature from his county on the Republican ticket, overcoming the Demopublican. In 1887 he was elected a member of the legislature from his county on the Republican ticket, overcoming the Democratic majority of over 2,000. His plurality being over four hundred, demonstates his popularity. ([SIC] It appears that part of a line was missed, and another repeated, in this paragraph. It is typed exactly as originally written).

Mr. Curtis is a thirty-second-degree Mason, being a member of De Molay Consistory of Lyons, and is recognized as one of the prominent Masons of the state. He is a member of Emulation Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; of Rosecroix Chapter, Scottish Rite, of which he was master for fifteen years. He is also a member of Holy Cross Commandery, in which he has served as eminent commander.

Few men have been more successful in business than Mr. Curtis, and controlling, as he does, thousands of dollars of capital, his ability to advise what is best for the general welfare should be and is greater than that of an individual whose scope is more limited. He has made good use of his opportunities, and has a remarkable faculty for the conduct and dispatch of business. Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he stands to-day among the leading and representative men of the state.
Source: The Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.