| FrancisM. Curry |
FRANCIS M. CURRY, a highly respected citizenof Mount Sterling, was born in Scott county, Kentucky, April 9, 1825, ason of John R. Curry, who was born October 19, 1803. The paternal grandfather,Alexander Curry, the honored founder of Mount Sterling, Illinois, was bornOctober 14, 1770, in the State of Maryland, the son of Archibald Curry,a native of Scotland, who emigrated to America in colonial times and settledin Maryland, where he passed the remainder of his life. Alexander Currywas a pioneer of Scott county, Kentucky; he purchased a tract of land onthe Lexington pike, on which he lived until 1830, when he came to Illinois;he was accompanied by his wife and children, and made a settlement in Browncounty, which was then a part of Schuyler county. As soon as the land cameinto market he entered 2,000 acres, including the present site of MountSterling; he erected a double log house on the lot now occupied by theChristian Church, which was used at the same time as a dwelling, a justice’sroom and a meeting-house. He did not keep a hotel, but entertained travelersfree of charge. He was the first Justice of the Peace and the first Postmasterof Mount Sterling. In 1833 he laid out the town, and June 21 of that yearoccurred the first sale of lots. His son, Robert, had the first store inthe place, the goods being brought by teams from St. Louis. He continueda resident of the place until his death in 1842. The maiden name of hiswife was Elizabeth Nutter, a native of Delaware, born August 20, 1776.They reared a family of nine children: Daniel, Robert N., John R., Olivia,Sarah, Nancy, Leah, Mary and Harriet.John R. Curry was reared and married in Kentucky,and came from the Blue Grass State with his parents. He located on landhis father gave him near Mount Sterling, and engaged in farming. He diedNovember 17, 1882. He married Belle Brockman, a native of Scott county,Kentucky, born May 15, 1804; she died December 17, 1875. They reared afamily of five children: Francis M., James R., Elizabeth, Alexander A.and Mary B. Francis M. was a child of five years when be came to Illinoiswith his parents. He received his education in the pioneer schools whichwere taught in the primitive log structures, often without a floor, andfurnished with puncheon seats and puncheon desks; the building was erectedwithout nails, and light was admitted by an opening in the wall, whichwas made by taking out a part of the log; in cold weather this hole wascovered by a piece of greased paper. At the age of fourteen years Mr. Currybegan clerking, receiving $12.60 a month the first year, and boarding himself.After a few years he engaged in business on his own account, which he conductedsuccessfully a number of years.
He was married September 21, 1853, to MaryClements, a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, born March 26, 1829. Herfather, William H. Clement, was born in Kentucky, and died in that Statein 1834; he married Maria Givens, a daughter of John and Ruth Givens. Mr.and Mrs. Curry are the parents of five children: Lizzie B., Ida M., MattieG., Frank C. and Charles A.; the oldest son, William, died at the age ofthree and a half years. The father and mother are members of the PresbyterianChurch. Politically our subject has been identified with the Democraticparty, but he is a prohibitionist both in principle and practice. He isa man of many excellent traits and has the respect and confidence of theentire community.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuylerand Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago,1892, pages 161-162.
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