Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/562

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

children, as follows: Fannie, now Mrs. Thomas Fleming; Lucy; Mary and Harry.. Alvin Curtis, now a resident of Old Point Comfort, was the fourth of the children of Thomas Curtis to survive childhood.

Christopher Columbus Curtis was born October 27, 1867, on Mulberry Island, War- wick county, Virginia, and there passed his childhood and early youth, receiving his education in the excellent public schools of that locality. He was an excellent scholar and even in school displayed those abilities that have since distinguished him. Imme- diately after the completion of his studies he secured a clerical position in the local general store with the purpose of learning the business and familiarizing himself with commercial methods generally. He inherit- ed much of the great energy of his father, and not confining himself to the perform- ance of his clerical duties, started out as a farmer on a small scale as well. He pros- pered in both his tasks, but his enterprising nature made him desire a larger field for his eiiforts and activities and led him, in the year 1900, to come to Newport News, where he secured a position as deputy city ser- geant, in which capacity he served faithfully and efficient!}' for a term of nine years. At the close of this period he re-entered the mercantile business, this time in Newport News, and continued this enterprise with success until November, 1913, when he was elected city sergeant for a term of four years. On January i, 1914, Mr. Curtis took office and is at present occupied in the dis- charge of the duties involved therein. In this he has given eminent satisfaction to the whole community, and thus confirmed a popularity which already existed as a result of his attractive personality and democratic attitude towards all men. Mr. Curtis has not by any means confined his participation in the life of the community to those two aspects of it concerned with business and politics, but has mingled in many depart- ments of activity, and with conspicuous suc- cess in each. He is a prominent figure in the social circles of the city and takes an active part in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of which he is a trus- tee. In religion Mr. Curtis is affiliated with the Baptist church and is earnest in his work to advance its interests.

Mr. Curtis was united in marriage, March 21, 1901, with Mamie Boutchard, a native of

Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a daughter of John W. and Fannie (Brown) Boutchard, old and honored residents of that city- To them has been born one daughter, January 27, 1903, Cora Randall Curtis. Success in any vocation is attributable first of all to fundamental virtues of character which win the confidence and esteem of men. A fictitious success sometimes, indeed, results from showy surface brilliancies which dazzle our senses, but in this sophisticated age peo- ple have grown too well acquainted with the truth of the old adage that all is not gold that glitters, not to quickly penetrate to the true nature of the metal beneath the surface glow. Stability of achievement therefore must be built upon some more secure foun- dation, and it is on a base of real worth that Mr. Curtis is founding his. He has brought to the discharge of his public duties the same enthusiasm, the same vigor and energy that have characterized him in the pursuit of his private ends. This springs primarily from the attitude of mind which recognizes in the affairs of others rights similar to those which are seen in one's own, and it is equiva- lent to saying that Mr. Curtis possesses this attitude to say that he is essentially a Dem- ocrat. It is this quality which, in his per- sonal relations with his fellows, gives Mr. Curtis his popularity. To him men are men, without regard to the external circum- stances of wealth and position, and he treats them accordingly. There are none too hum- ble to find an easy access to him, and none too proud for him to shrink from approach- ing. It is such characters that are potent in influencing their environment for good, and as Mr. Curtis is just in the prime of life, and his powers are in their very zenith, there is every reason to believe that he will continue to exert his beneficent influence for many years to come.

James Early McMurran. James Early ]McMurran, of Newport News, Virginia, is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors, who came to America about 1775 and settled in Jefferson county, Virginia. To this element in its population the Old Dominion owes much of its development and high moral worth. These people were enterprising, in- dustrious and pious, and have preserved in an eminent degree the characteristics of those who went before. They belong to the same class as those who settled New England, for