WILLIAM H H CURTIS

Among the representatives of the bar at Severance is this well-known attorney, whose position as one of the leading lawyers is due to indefatigable effort and close application to his business. Advancement in no profession depends so largely upon individual merit as it does in the law. Wealth or influential friends avail not, for progress at the bar is made by earnest purpose, accurate knowledge and the correct application of legal principles to the points in litigation. Mr. Curtis is accorded an enviable position among the members of the legal fraternity and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his adopted county.

Often the name of a man indicates the time of his birth, and such is the case with our subject, who was born in 1840, at the time the old hero of Tippecanoe was a presidential candidate, and thus he came by his name of William Henry Harrison Curtis. He was born in Adams county, near Quincy, and came to Doniphan county, in 1854. When the war broke out he was a law student in Atchison and with patriotic ardor he responded to the call for troops, enlisting in Company K, First Kansas Regiment, May 30, 1861. For three years he faithfully followed the old flag and aided in the defense of the Union, until June, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge.

On leaving the army Mr. Curtis could not at once resume his studies, for his eyesight had been impaired by a wound he had received in the head. It was necessary that he should provide for his own support and at once he engaged in any honorable work which offered. His path was not then strewn with roses exclusively: indeed the thorns were more numerous than the roses. A resolute will, however, enabled him to overcome these, and by industry and economy he was at length enabled to purchase an interest in a mill in Doniphan county. This was later swept away by the washing out of the river bank. Subsequently Mr. Ctirtis devoted his energies to various business interests, but is now engaged in the practice of law in Severance and has a distinctively representative clientage. He has been connected with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district and has won some notable victories. He throws himself easily and naturally into the argument and has an excellent reputation among lawyers for his wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases.

In October, 1872, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Leonhard, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His political support is given to the Republican party and he has taken quite an active interest in its work. He was a member of the Republican convention in 1882 and opposed the nomination of St. John for a third term. He has been twice elected the mayor of Severance and twice the treasurer of Wolf River township, and his faithfulness to duty in those positions has won him high commendation.