BIO: Harry R. CURTIN, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 83-85 HON. HARRY R. CURTIN is the present representative from Centre County in the State Legislature, and is one of the prominent citizens, not only of his locality, but of Pennsylvania. He belongs to one of the old and honored families of the State, whose members have been prominent in public affairs, and as promoters of leading commercial industries. The name is indissolubly linked with the history of Centre County, and the gentleman whose name introduces this article has added new luster to the excellent record of the family by his course in both public and private life. Roland Curtin, Sr., the grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and during the war of the French Revolution he was attending school in France. He, with other students, escaped and came to this country. He first located in Philipsburg, Centre County, where for a short time he engaged in merchandising, and then turned his attention to the iron industry in connection with a Mr. Boggs. In 1810 he erected the Eagle Iron Works, and operated the same until 1842 when the business was turned over to his sons. This became one of the most important factors COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 84 in the development of the locality, and Roland Curtin took a most active interest in the work of progress and upbuilding in Centre County. He also located a large tract of land, upon which the subject of this sketch is now living. After his arrival in Pennsylvania, he married Miss Margaret Gregg, a native of this State. One of their sons, Andrew G., was Pennsylvania's governor during the period of the Civil war. For two terms he held that office, being re- elected in 1863, and for two terms he also represented his district in Congress. John Curtin, father of Harry R., was born in Bellefonte, Penn., in September 1810, the youngest son of Roland and Margaret Curtin. On the retirement of his father from business he joined his brother, Constance, in the operation of the extensive iron works, which they conducted until 1864, when they were joined by another brother, Roland, Jr., under the firm name of R., C. & J. Curtin. This connection was continued until 1874, when Roland and John sold their interests to their sons, and John Curtin retired to private life. He is now residing in Bellefonte, in the enjoyment of a well-merited rest. He married Julia A. Barnhart, and they became parents of seven children - three sons and four daughters-namely: Margery B., wife of Gen. John I. Curtin, of Bellefonte; James B. (deceased); Sarah C., wife of J. F. Larimer, a physician of Omaha, Neb.; Harry R.; John G., who is engaged in the oil business in Philadelphia; Francis and Nancy, who died in childhood. Harry R. Curtin was born at his present home, January 12, 1850, and has here spent his entire life. He remained with his parents until 1865, when he entered the Pennsylvania State College, pursuing his studies there for two and one-half years. He afterward continued his education in Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Penn., where he remained for a year and a half, when he returned home and entered upon his business career, putting to a test in the practical affairs of life the knowledge that he had gained in the schoolroom. He accepted a position as salesman in a genera1 mercantile store in Curtin, where he remained for a year and a half, then assumed the duties of bookkeeper for the firm of R., C. & J. Curtin, serving in that capacity until 1874. In that year he and his brother James bought out the interest of their father, and Andrew and Austin Curtin succeeded to the interest of their father, Roland Curtin, thus leaving the business in the hands of the four cousins and their uncle, Constance Curtin, at which time the firm name of C. Curtin & Co. was assumed. Business was thus conducted until 1877, when the uncle retired, and the partnership between James B., Harry R., Andrew G. and Austin was continued under the name of Curtin & Curtin. They operated the factories until 1890, when operations were suspended, due to the increased facilities for manufacturing steel and taking the market for charcoal iron. When Harry R. Curtin first became a partner in the business he assumed the active management of the forge and furnace work, and was thus engaged until suspension of the business in 1890. He was then appointed special agent, under Robert P. Porter, for gathering statistics concerning iron and steel. A year later he was appointed administrator of the Constance Curtin estate, and now has in charge the business interests connected with that property, which includes ten thousand acres of land. Upon this has been built the little village of Curtin, which contains a railroad station, gristmill and post office, and has a population of about two hundred. Mr. Curtin has also been engaged in the sawmill business for the past three years, and is one of the successfu1 lumber merchants in this section of Centre County. On June 9, 1875, Harry R. Curtin was married to Miss Lydia G. McMeen, who was born in Milesburg, November 6, 1852. Her parents, Dr. William and Nancy J. (Lipton) McMeen, were also natives of that place; the father died in Milesburg in 1854; the mother, who was born in 1829, is now living with Mrs. Curtin, her only daughter. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Curtin has been blessed with four children, namely: Joseph McMeen; Curtin John; Hugh L. and Catherine. Mrs. Curtin is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a most estimable lady, regarded as a leader in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Curtin is a Republican in politics, and on that ticket was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1894 by over 500 majority, although the county had always been a Democratic stronghold. His election is certainly a tribute to his personal worth, and indicates the confidence and high regard which his fellow citizens entertain for him. He has also held a number of township offices. His course in the General Assembly has been most commendable. He has ever labored for the best interests of county and State, placing country before party and the public good before self-aggrandizement. He is again his party's nominee for the same office, and will probably for a second time be chosen to represent his District in the House. In business he is honorable, straightforward and energetic, carrying to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his life is characterized COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 85 by the genuine worth which everywhere commands respect. On January 1, 1897 he was appointed, by Gov. Hastings, one of the food commissioners of the State.