CURRY, Joseph C., Rev. 1875-1921

CURRY, FOSTER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/6/2016 at 07:48:34

Rev. J. C. Curry, Eleven Years Pastor Of Baptist Church Here, Answers Call of Death Tuesday Forenoon, After Eight Weeks of Illness

Rev. J. C. Curry, who has been critically ill at his home here the past two months, passed quietly away at eleven o'clock Tuesday forenoon, January 25th.

Relatives and intimate friends of the family have watched at the bedside of Rev. Mr. Curry the past several weeks, and knew it was only a question of time until Death would place its icy hand upon the brow of him whom all who knew loved and honored. And yet the unusual vitality of the man withstood the onslaughts of the disease in a manner that was truly wonderful.

Rev. Mr. Curry and family came to Grundy Center about eleven years ago to take up the work of the First Baptist church, and at once won a warm spot in the hearts of all who made their acquaintance. Mr. Curry was always jovial and possessed a disposition that won favors wherever he went and with all whom he met. His work as a minister was most successful and his sermons always contained something that was helpful.

His faithful wife and two chidlren, Geraldine, aged twelve and Winson, aged five, are left to mourn his loss.

The remains will be taken to the church this, Wednesday, afternoon, where it may be visited by friends. the funeral services will be held from the church on Thursday afternoon. A more extended mention of the life and work of this good man and highly respected citizen will be printed next week.

--The Grundy County Dispatch (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 January 1921, pg 1

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Rev. J. C. Curry Rests From Labors

Beloved Deceased Pastor of Baptist Church For Eleven Years Buried Thursday

One of the Largest Assemblies In History of Grundy Center on Similar Occasion

The funeral services of the Rev. Mr. Curry, whose death was briefly mentioned last week, took place from the Baptist church, of which he had been pastor for eleven years, last Thursday afternoon. The services were in charge of the pastors of the various Protestant churches of Grundy Center. Dr. G. P. Mitchell, of Des Moines, state secretary of the Iowa Baptist Association, and Rev. Frank Ward, superintendent of Sunshine Mission at Cedar Rapids, each gave a short address.

Rev. E. W. Benbow read the first scripture, from II Timothy, 14:1-8. He was followed by Rev. H. F. Sinning, who read the second scripture from the 14th chapter of Revelation, 1-14. Rev. Fred P. Fisher followed with prayer. Dr. Mitchell followed with his address, in which he paid a high tribute to the departed pastor. He took for his theme the words of St. Paul, who said, in writing to the early Christians: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course." Rev. Mr. Ward closed with his address, in which he spoke of the fellowship that had existed between him and the deceased for several years past, and the splendid character and ability of Rev. Curry.

The choir was composed of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Willoughby, Mrs. W. D. Wilson and G. C. Pettit, who rendered "God Will Take Care of You," "Crossing the Bar," and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." The church was filled to capacity, which was a testimony of the high esteem in which Rev. Mr. Curry was held in the community. The pallbearers were E. S. King, L. W. Plager, W. H. Scott, P. H. Fearer, Geo. F. Schlue, H. F. Sprague.

The Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges attended in a body. The remains were interred in the cemetery west of town. Mrs. Curry and her two young daughters have the deepest sympathy of the community in this time of grief.

Joseph Cameron Curry, son of Isaac and Elizabeth Jane Curry, was born in the township of McKillop, Huron county, Ontario Canada, on April 18, 1875. At ten years of age he moved to Grey township, same county, where he lived until grown to manhood, when he went west to the newer province of Manitoba, settling at the new town of Hartney; here he was converted and baptized into the fellowship of the Hartney church by the Rev. D. D. McArthur. He received his preparatory education at the old Brandon Academy, now the Brandon College. He received his higher education at the University of Manitoba. He was a member of the Athletic Association at both Academy and University, at the latter place winning the contest in the mile run. He was also a member of the football and lacrosse teams.

He received his theological training at McMaster, Toronto. While attending the Seminary he was assistant pastor of the Ossington Avenue church.

After leaving the Seminary he was the preacher at the City Mission at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, leaving that position for the assistant pastorate of the First Baptist church at the same place. From there he went to Sherburn, Minnesota, where he was ordained and served two years as pastor, going from there to Bricelyn, Minnesota, where he met Miss Jennie Ardella Foster, who these later years has been both the joy and the love of his life, being married to her August 2, 1905. He was at that time pastor of the church at Kasota, where he preached two years, going from there to the First Baptist church of Luverne, Minnesota, and remaining there for three, from which place he came to Grundy Center in February, 1910, where he served as pastor of the First Baptist church up to the time of his death, on Tuesday, January 25, 1921.

Rev. Curry very quickly established for himself a warm place in the respect of affections, not only of his own congregation, but of the entire community. He was a popular preacher and drew to his preaching services particularly the young people of the community, and especially the boys.

His long pastorate in Grundy center was most successful in both its spiritual and material aspects. During his eleven years administration as pastor of this church there were one hundred and fifty-seven additions to its membership--one hundred and twenty-nine by baptism and twenty-eight by letter. This large increase in membership by baptism is evidence of his great spiritual power and consecration.

In December, 1917, the church building was destroyed by fire. Not daunted or discouraged by the untoward financial and business conditions caused by the world war then consuming the world, Mr. Curry immediately set himself to the task of securing a new church home, with the result that on January 19, 1919, a little more than a year after the destruction of the old building a beautiful modern structure costing $40,000 was dedicated entirely free from debt upon the site of the former building.

Mr. Curry's labors were not confined to his own church and congregation. He was active in all movements looking to the improvement and betterment of this community and humanity in general. He was often called to other communities to assist in revivals and special services and to give addresses, and gave freely of his time and his strength.

Besides being a popular preacher, Mr. Curry was a likable man, a good mixer in all classes of society, but always carrying with him his high moral and religious principles.

He was a lover and patron of athletic sports and endeared himself to the boys of the entire community by the interest he took in their athletic development and the time and counsel he gave to their training along those lines.

Mr. Curry was an earnest and consistent member of the Masonic Lodge of this town and also of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of this place.

Rev. Curry in the flesh has gone from our midst and a community mourns. But his influence, his example, his life are left with us. Eleven years of consecrated life, devotion, inspiring counsel remain to us and have left their impress upon our community. He will be missed, missed by his devoted wife; his two young daughters, Geraldine, aged 13 and Winson, aged 5; missed by his special church flock; missed by the entire community in which the best years of his life were spent, but the parting mitigated by the assurance that what is our loss is His gain.

--The Grundy County Dispatch (Grundy Center, Iowa), 2 February 1921, pg 1