Capt. J. F. Curren
Capt. J. F. Curren, whose period of residence at Delaware covers almost half a century, is one of the city's reliable business men, as well as a deservedly honored veteran of the Civil War. He was born September 10, 1839, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Stephen Curren.
Joseph Curren, the grandfather, located in Delaware County in 1808, coming from Washington County, Virginia, and was one of the pioneer teachers in this section. He went on horseback to East Tennessee, where he married, and brought his bride back with him in the same way, and settled permanently in Delaware County, where his son, Stephen Curren, was horn in 1816. The latter became a man of substance and prominence in Delaware County, For a number of years he was engaged in a general mercantile business at Norton, Waldo, Leonardsburg and Ashley.
J. F. Curren was 18 years of age when he came to Delaware, and his education was obtained entirely in the schools of his native county. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company D, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Camp Chase, Columbus. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Bolivar, and luka, and in those which occurred daily while the army was getting in the rear of Vicksburg. The Twentieth Infantry on every occasion gave a good account of itself. It went to Memphis and then to Yazoo Bend, through Louisiana, and took part in the battle at Port Gibson. In the engagement at Raymond, Tennessee, the regiment lost heavily and went thence to Jackson, Champion Hill and Black River, and came up in front of Vicksburg on May 18, taking part in the charge on the city on May 22d. Captain Curren, during all these movements, was ever at the post of duty. After the fall of Vicksburg he accompanied the regiment to Mechanicsburg, and later back to Vicksburg, and on November 10, 1863, he was sent home on recruiting service. On the 18th of April, following, he was made regimental adjutant of the Sixtieth Regiment, O. V. I., which was assigned to the Ninth Corps, and on May 5, took part in the memorable battle of the Wilderness. Here, with his comrades, he was for five hours under fire. At Nye Run they were again in battle for five hours, and out of three companies of 200, 98 were killed and wounded. On May 12th, came the terrible battle of Spottsylvania, and later that of Cold Harbor. Following that came 36 hours of marching before the regiment was halted in front of Petersburg, where, after a rest of 24 hours, these brave men were again called into action, and made that fierce charge which opened the siege, 17th June, 1864, and in this Captain Curren was wounded and lost his right arm.
Here it may be mentioned as a curious coincidence that Captain Curren's mother's great-grandfather lost his right arm, June 17, 1775. at the battle of Bunker Hill. Captain Curren's injury necessitated his being taken to a hospital at Washington, D. C. and he soon went home on furlough. In October, 1864, he rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg, and was then transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, subsequently being sent to the Reserve garrison on Galloup's Island, Boston, where he remained until the close of the war. His service was of long duration and filled with severe hardships, but he emerged from all dangers with but one serious wound and had been gradually promoted to high rank.
Shortly after his return to Delaware, Captain Curren became an agent in the Refugee Bureau, under General Howard, and served at different places in North Carolina, until December 31, 1868. Subsequently, he served as postmaster at Delaware for twelve years and a half, later entering into a manufacturing business at Columbus, in which he continued for but a short time. In 1885 he opened a fire insurance office at Delaware, located at 52½ North Sandusky Street, where he has carried on business ever since. In 1895 Captain Curren established the Citizens Fire Insurance Association, of which he has been secretary since its organization.
Captain Curren was married February 1, 1866, to Mary A. Gavitt, and they have three children: Lena O, who married John W. Roby, a prominent attorney residing at Lima, Ohio; Arthur J., residing at Elyria, Ohio, where he is manager of the Citizens' Telephone Company; and Marie, who resides at home. Captain Curren is a valued comrade in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Union Veteran Legion. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908