BIO: John CURTAIN, Centre County, Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 79

JOHN CURTIN, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of Bellefonte, 
Centre County, was born in that beautiful mountain town, September 24, 1810, and 
has been prominently identified with the development of his section throughout 
his active business life.
  Roland Curtin, father of our subject, a native of County Clare, Ireland, came 
to Centre County when a young man, and after a short period spent in mercantile 
pursuits engaged in the iron business, building a furnace which he operated for 
many years. By his first wife, Margery (Gregg), he had four sons who lived to 
adult age: Austin (who was in the iron business), James, Roland and John. His 
second wife, Jane (Gregg), daughter of Hon. Andrew Gregg, was the mother of the 
following children: Constance, Andrew (Pennsylvania's famous War Governor), 
Martha (who married Dr. W. Irwin, and both are now deceased), Norah (who married 
President Allen, of Girard College); Margery (Mrs. Thomas Reynolds); Nancy (the 
wife of Dr. Clark, of Philadelphia, Penn.), and Julia (who is not married, and 
resides in Philadelphia).
  Mr. Curtin attended school in his youth at Bellefonte, Harrisburg and Milton, 
Penn., receiving excellent preparation for his future career.  His business 
opportunities were most fortunate and, engaging in the iron industry with his 
father, 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 80

he continued in active work until 1874, when he retired, being at the time a 
member of the firm of R. C.  & J. Curtin. Since his retirement from business, 
his time has been mainly spent in his pleasant home at Bellefonte.
  In 1837 Mr. Curtin was married to Miss Julia Ann Barnhart, who was born March 
14, 1811, in Bald Eagle Valley. Of the seven children of this happy union two 
died in infancy; the others are: (1) Margery I. married Irvin Curtin, and has, 
two children, Roland I. and Gregg. (2) James, who was a cavalryman during the 
Civil war, married Miss Jane Holder, and has three children-Latimer, Fred and 
Harry. (3) Sarah C., wife of Dr. J. F. Larimer, of Omaha, Neb., has three 
children-John C., Robert G. and Fred W. (4) Henry Roland, who is at present in 
charge of the iron works, married Miss Lydia McMinn and has four children, J. 
Mack, John, Laird H. and Catherine. (5) John G. is in the oil business, and 
resides in Philadelphia; he married Miss Estella Louden, and has four children-
Loula, Julia, Allen and Walton.
  Mr. Curtin is a stanch Republican, and in the stirring campaign of 1896 
supported McKinley with an enthusiasm and patriotic fervor which bridged the 
years, and recalled for him the days of his youth. Always a thoughtful student 
of current questions, local and national, he has given throughout his life loyal 
assistance to every movement which promised to benefit the public.