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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
chentage 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 ot the school children will obtain. As floor leader and president pro ternpore, 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 worth while. 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.
From:
History of Posey County, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913.
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