Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Currey, Col John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 11:02 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

COL. JOHN CURREY. Notwithstanding the years that have passed since the death 
of Colonel Currey, his memory has not grown dim in the hearts of those who 
held him dear. As a pioneer of Joliet he is entitled to mention in the annals 
of the city, to the early building of which he was a large and prominent 
contributor. At the time he came to this place, in 1836, it was known as 
Juliet and was an insignificant hamlet, surrounded by great stretches of 
undeveloped prairie land. During the subsequent years of his busy life he 
contributed to its upbuilding and fostered its interests. The Currey family 
was established in America many generations ago, and was of French extraction. 
Colonel Currey was born in Portland, Me., November 22, 1801, and was quite 
young when his father, Parish Currey, removed to Massachusetts. For some years 
he engaged in the mercantile business at Bridgewater, Oneida County, N. Y., 
coming from there to Illinois in 1836. He became interested in the erection of 
a large stone building in Joliet, which is now the National hotel. Before the 
completion of the building his partner, J. J. Garland, sold his interest to 
Martin H. Demmond, and the work was finished by the firm of Currey & Demmond. 
The building was the largest that had been erected in Joliet up to that time 
and the house has since been connected with the history of the place. For 
several years Colonel Currey conducted a large and prosperous mercantile 
business in partnership with Mr. Demmond. On the dissolution of the 
partnership he took a contract for the construction of a portion of the 
Illinois and Michigan canal, and after completing that work he entered into 
partnership with ex-Gov. J. A. Matteson in the ownership and management of a 
large supply store, located on the canal. As long as the packets ran on the 
canal he continued the business, carrying in stock a full assortment of such 
goods as the location demanded. After buying his partner's interest he 
continued the business alone for ten years, until his retirement. He had 
invested in property near Joliet and planned to establish his home upon it, 
but preference for city life led him to change his plans and settle in the 
city. Here he resided until his death, March 11, 1872. The Episcopal Church, 
of which Colonel Currey was a member, received the encouragement of his 
support and sympathy. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat. He was twice 
married; first, in 1823, to Miss Lucy Demmond, of Waterville, N. Y., who died 
some years later. The two children born to their union died when young. In 
Joliet, March 27, 1866, he married Susan, daughter of James Sterling, who was 
a native of Sterling, Scotland, but emigrated to America and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. By his marriage to Anna 
Cunnighan five children were born, three now living. Mrs. Currey was the 
eldest and was born in Cornwall. She accompanied her parents to Illinois at 
the time of the building of the canal, in which her father was interested as a 
contractor, with George A. Barnett. During the excitement following the 
discovery of gold in California Mr. Sterling crossed the plains to the coast, 
where he spent several years, meeting with fair success. 

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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