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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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George William Curtis, influential lawyer of Posey county, senator from the First district of Indiana, and citizen of State-wide prominence, was born in Mt. Vernon, November 10, 1878, the son of George W. and Ruth (Greathouse) Curtis, a personal review of whom precedes this article. Senator Curtis received his early educational discipline in the schools of his native city, and later entered the University of Indiana, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. He was admitted to the bar in Mt. Vernon in May, 1901, where he has since practiced his profession. Since October, 1910, he has been associated in practice with William Espenschied, under the firm style of Espenchied & Curtis. The firm is recognized as one of the most successful in Southwestern Indiana, and they have appeared in connection with the most important litigations in both the State and Federal courts. In the practice of his profession Senator Curtis has attained recognition as a leader among his fellow members of the bar through his comprehensive knowledge of the law, his logic in argument, and as an orator of more than usual brilliance. His close attention to business and the honesty and fairness with which he has treated his clientage have won the support and respect of the citizens of his district. His political allegiance has been given the Democratic party, and of his party and its policies he has ever been a consistent supporter. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the Eleventh judicial circuit, composed of Posey and Gibson counties, in 1904. His record in the administration of the affairs of this office was such as to place him in line for the nomination to the senatorship from the First district, to which he was elected in 1910. His work as a member of the senate during the session of 1911, was such that his colleagues on the Democratic side unanimously selected him as president pro tempore and floor leader during the session of 1913. Much can be said of his labors in the last named session. He was identified as a leader in the framing and passage of the Public Utility Act. The vocational education bill, passed through his committee, and received his active support on the floor of the senate. He was the author of the uniform high school text book law, and through much opposition and by his efforts it became a law. In its operation a large saving to the parents of the school children will obtain. As floor leader and president pro tempore, he labored not alone for himself, but by his accommodating disposition was of great assistance to all who were working openly for progressive Democratic legislation. Through both sessions in which he served he took an active part in those measures which were worthwhile, and was considered by his fellow members as one of the energetic and active leaders of his party therein. It is generally conceded that as a parliamentarian he ranks as a leader in his State; as an orator he has few equals, while his charming personality has endeared him to a wide acquaintanceship. He has always stood for the interests of the common people, and to his constituents he has been loyal. He possesses ability, honesty and courage, while his fairness is an added quality which deserves honorable mention. At this writing, 1913, he has announced himself as a candidate for the office of attorney general. The comment of the press of the State succeeding his announcement shows a concensus of opinion as to his qualifications for the office, which has seldom been equaled in its praise of a candidate for nomination. Senator Curtis is a member of the Masonic order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Of the latter order he is vice-president for Indiana, and served during 1912 and 1913 as district deputy. Senator Curtis married, on September 16, 1903, Miss Rena Streeby, the daughter of Jay B. Streeby, of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Curtis is a woman of wide acquaintance and popular in the social circles of her home city, in which she is a leader. She is a member of the Martha Hunter Guild. During the residence of Senator Curtis and his wife at the State capitol Mrs. Curtis was known as one of the leaders of the official set, and her charm of personality and mind assisted greatly in furthering the Senator’s influence.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

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