COL. W. L. CURRY

    Colonel W. L. Curry was Auditor of Union County.  He was born on the old Curry homestead in Jerome Township, June 25, 1839.  He is the third son of Stephenson and Sarah D. Curry, and a grandson of Col. James Curry, whose history is given elsewhere in this work.  His early life was passed on his father's farm, his education being acquired in the common schools a and in the Marysville Academy, and Otterbein University, at Westerville.  At the age of eighteen years he engaged in the profession of teaching, which he followed during the winter seasons of four years.  On April 24, 1861, in response to the country's first call for volunteers, he enlisted in a company for the first three months' service that was not mustered into service, as the "three years' call " was issued before the company was recruited to the required number.  On September 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and in October, 1861, was appointed Orderly Sergeant of his company.  His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and after serving on scouting duty in Kentucky during the winter of 1861, they marched with Gen. Thomas' army to Pittsburgh Landing, in April, 1862, and participated in the siege of Corinth.  On June 16, 1862, Sergt. Curry was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and on March 3, 1863, was promoted to First Lieutenant of his company.  The next engagement in which he took part was at Booneville, Mississippi, followed by Courtland, Alabama, where he was taken prisoner.  He was exchanged in February, 1863, returned to his regiment and took command of his company and participated in the campaign of Gen. Rosencrans' army, from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma and on to Chattanooga.  In August, 1863, he was assigned to the command of Company M, and fought at Alpine and Lafayette, Ga., and at Chickamauga.  He commanded this company on the famous raid of the rebel cavalry chieftain Gen. Wheeler through Tennessee, in the rear of Rosencrans' army, in October, 1863, and fought at McMinville, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Farmington and Mussel Shoals, Ala.  Lieut. Curry and his company re-enlisted as veterans at Pulaski, Tenn., January 4, 1864, and after a veteran furlough of thirty days had expired, he joined Sherman's army, early in the spring of 1864, and fought at Moulton, Ala., Peachtree Creek, Noon-day Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and in Kilpatrick's daring raid around the Confederate army in Atlanta, August, 1864. In September, 1864, he was appointed Quartermaster of his regiment, and when Sherman started on his march to the sea, the First Ohio Cavalry marched with the army of Gen. Thomas to Tennessee to intercept Hood, and from there toLouisville, Ky., to mount and equip. On December 14, 1864, Lieut. Curry was promoted to the rank of Captain. A few days after his arrival at Louisville, he was violently thrown from his horse and received injuries from which he has never recovered and on account of which he was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., December 30, 1864.  Returning home he engaged in merchandising in New California, and in 1869, removed to Plain City, where he was engaged in the same business two years. In 1871, he removed to Richwood, where he was engaged in the drug trade until his election to the office of County Auditor, in October, 1875.  He is now serving his third term as Auditor of Union County.  He takes an active interest in everything pertaining to military matters, is considered the best authority on military law and history, and devotes a great deal of time to the interests of his comrades, in matters of pensions, bounties and other interests.  He is now serving as commander of Ransom Reed Post, Grand Army of the Republic.  He served for five years as Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment Ohio National Guards. Col. Curry is a Republican in politics and always takes an active interest in the affairs of his party and in all political matters.  He was married, December 21, 1865, to Martha J. Robinson, daughter of J. D. Robinson, of Jerome Township.  She was born in Jerome Township April 12, 1843. Three children have been given to bless this union, of whom two are living-Ivaloo and Lucile. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are members of the Presbyterian Church at Marysville.