Curtin, Edward J. 1865 -

CURTIN, POWERS, MARSH

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/19/2014 at 13:05:08

EDWARD J. CURTIN.

One of the foremost business men of Decorah and since January, 1904, president of the Citizens Savings Bank, Edward J. Curtin has for nearly thirty years been connected with that institution, in which he began his career as bookkeeper, advancing step by step to the position of chief executive officer of the bank, having done during that time probably more than any other man to make it one of the strongest and foremost banking houses of this part of the state. Moreover, Mr. Curtin has extensive banking interests in North Dakota, in which state he is president of a number of banks which he has been instrumental in founding.

A son of John and Mary P. (Powers) Curtin, he was born in Decorah, Iowa,June 2, 1865, his parents being natives of Ireland, coming with their respective parents to this country when children. It was in May, 1857,that the father came to Winneshiek county and engaged in the livery business, conducting an establishment of that kind until 1886, when he disposed of his interests and retired, still making his home here at the age of seventy-six years, his wife being sixty-nine years of age and both enjoying the esteem and respect of many friends.

Edward J. Curtin was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools and Bayless Business College of Dubuque, from which he graduated in 1883. Previous to this time, in 1881, he had received a certificate of graduation from the Decorah high school. Deciding upon a commercial career as the most congenial, Mr. Curtin, in 1884, entered the employ of the Citizens Savings Bank upon its organization and with this institution he has ever since continued, holding every position in the bank from bookkeeper to president, in the latter of which he has served since January 1, 1904, on which date he acquired the interests of C. W. Burdick. The present prosperous condition of the bank must be largely ascribed to the incessant efforts and thorough business ability of Mr. Curtin, who in the course of a long career has become acquainted with every phase of the banking business and has never considered the smallest detail too unimportant to give it his closest attention. The bank today is one of the foremost in this part of the state and its business is extensive and profitable. He has done everything to make it worthy of patronage and its deposits are safeguarded in such a way as to merit the confidence of its patrons. As his means have increased from year to year Mr. Curtin has extended his efforts to other fields and for the past six years has served as president of the Sentinel Butte State Bank of Butte, North Dakota, president of the First National Bank of Beach, that state, and president of the Sterling State Bank of Sterling, also of North Dakota, in all of which institutions he is a heavy stockholder. He also is a director of the Calmar Savings Bank of Calmar, Winneshiek County, and owns bank stock in financial institutions of the state of Oregon. Another enterprise which has benefited by his labors is the Winneshiek Hotel Company, of which he is the efficient secretary.

In November, 1897, Mr. Curtin was united in marriage to Miss Mellie Marsh, a daughter of N. S. and Gertrude Marsh, natives of Massachusetts. The father was one of the pioneers in Winneshiek County, where he was engaged in the blacksmithing business, conducting a shop until the time of his demise, while the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Curtin have one daughter, Louise, who at the age of fourteen is attending school.

Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Curtin has always taken a deep interest in the advancement of his native city, which he has served efficiently as city treasurer. His political convictions are progressive republican and, while he is not a politician in the sense commonly ascribed to that word, he is well informed upon all issues of the day as they affect the state and nation, and every movement undertaken for the improvement of conditions finds in him a ready supporter. In 1911 and 1912 he served in the important position of president of the Iowa Bankers Association, this being evidence of the important position he holds in financial circles of the state and in recognition of his ability along banking lines. He is also a member of the state board of agriculture and has done valuable work in this connection in promoting the farming interests of the state. The family home is at No. 614 West Water street and there Mr. and Mrs. Curtin often entertain their many friends, who delight to gather at their hospitable fireside. A man of unflagging industry, undoubted ability and unshakable honesty, Mr. Curtin has risen to one of the foremost positions in the life of Decorah, where he has become a forceful element in commercial and financial circles and is highly honored and respected for what he has achieved and for those qualities of his character which have made possible his success

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913