Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Curtis, Charles 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 2:11 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

CHARLES CURTIS. It has been well said that "our schools are the hope of our 
country" and all who desire the perpetuation of the national life and the 
fulfillment of its glorious promise as the center of the highest civilization, 
recognize the fact that the educators of our land are clothed with a high 
responsibility and that those in whose care the young are placed should be 
selected with judgment. Prof. Curtis is one to whom his fellow-men look up as 
an instructor capable not only of guiding youth in the ascent of the hill of 
knowledge, but of leading them by example and precept toward moral and upright 
lives. His own mind has been well disciplined and is a storehouse of 
knowledge, while the moral and spiritual qualities have been strengthened and 
developed as years have passed by. Prof. Curtis was born in Orange County, 
Vt., and in the Green Mountain State his parents, Francis and Julia 
(Richardson) Curtis, also first saw the light of day. His mother died when he 
was quite young, but his father is still living. The educational privileges 
bestowed upon the lad were excellent, and after an attendance at the public 
schools he entered Barrie Academy from which he was graduated with high honors 
in 1875. The same year he came to Illinois, and locating in Chenoa, began his 
career as a pedagogue. After a successful experience of six years he was 
elected Principal And Superintendent of the High School in Odell, in which 
place he remained four years. He was elected for another year but resigned, 
being chosen Superintendent of Schools at Lockport and entered upon the duties 
of that position in September, 1886. Prof. Curtis has graded the schools of 
this place, introduced a curriculum that is well suited to the practical 
demands of the age, and has established the custom of holding graduating 
exercises and awarding diplomas to those whose thoroughness entitles them to 
that honor. The schools have steadily grown in attendance until they are 
models in their way, and have become a power for good which proves the high 
executive talent and strong personal influence of their Superintendent. He 
gives a fair share of credit for these good results to his subordinates, 
recognizing that in their co-operation there is a strong factor to accomplish 
good. The wife of Prof. Curtis is a native of the Green Mountain State, a 
member of an excellent family, and bore the maiden name of Hattie M. Lord. She 
was educated in Barrie Academy and is a lady of fine culture and a consistent 
Christian character. Both Mr. and Mrs. Curtis belong to the Congregational 
Church and the former takes an active part in the labors of both church and 
Sunday-school. He belongs to the social order of Modern Woodmen, and and to 
the Masonic fraternity. His influence is not confined to those who are under 
his instruction and guidance, but is felt throughout the community as that of 
an educated man always is when exerted in behalf of true civilization.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/curtis1392nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 3.8 Kb