William Kenneth CURRIE is a member of the firm of CURRIE & DEWEY, owners of the Journal of Centerville, Mr. CURRIE devoting his attention to its management and to editorial duties. He was born at Oak Grove, Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 18, 1870, his parents being John and Sarah Ellen (BYERS) CURRIE. The father was a native of the state of New York and was of Scotch descent. The mother was born in Virginia and was a representative of one of the old families that settled near Jamestown at a very early epoch in the colonial history of the country. John C. and Sarah E. BYERS were married at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1868, and removed westward, becoming residents of Wisconsin. Subsequently, however, they established their home at Mount Ayr, Iowa, and there in the public schools William Kenneth CURRIE pursued his education. In early manhood he became connected with hotel interests and remained in that business for a number of years as proprietor of one of the hotels at Mount Ayr. Subsequently he became connected with journalistic interests and was associated with the HEARST newspapers in Chicago for six years. He severed that connection in January, 1910, after which he engaged in promotional work for a year and a half in central Illinois and northern Ohio.

In November, 1911, he came to Centerville and entered into partnership with Walter H. DEWEY of Chariton for the publication of the Centerville Journal which is the only democratic paper in Appanoose county. During the pre-convention campaign of 1912 the Centerville Journal was one of the strongest newspaper supporters of Woodrow WILSON in that state and Mr. CURRIE was one of the executive board of the Iowa-Wilson league. In his editorials he clearly sums up the situation as he sees it and presents concisely and forcibly the vital principles and questions at stake. He cast his first presidential vote for Grover CLEVELAND, supported William Jennings BRYAN three times, and in the fall of 1912 as a progressive democrat voted for Woodrow WILSON.

His fraternal relations are with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and with the Masonic lodge. He is a typical American citizen of the present age, alert and enterprising, keeping in touch with the significant questions and situations of the country and casting his influence on the side of advancement along the lines of reform and improvement.

SOURCE:  TAYLOR, L. L. Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa Vol. II, Pp. 6-7. S. J. Clarke Publ. Chicago. 1913.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009