The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-03-15
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
HON. ANDREW G. CURTIN.

sylvania, was born the 22d or April
1917, in Bellefoute, beautiful village in
the county of Centre, SO called because il
dies in the very heart of the Common
wealth. This county is away from the
great routes between the North and the
South, the East aud the West, and thus
it is not as we'll known as it ought to be
that it is exceedingly rich and lovely, a.
bounding in iron ores, fertile valleys and
fine streams. The rare facilities of thi,
region attracted to it, at an early day
the energies aud the residence of Roland
Curtin. who, for forty years was leading
iron manufacturer in Centre county, &C
cunulated competent estate, and has
left three sons, brothers of ANDREW, en-
gagged 10 the great staple business oi
Pennsylvania. ANDREW &. CURTIN
comes of 6rst-rate Pennsylvania stock
His father married a daug hter of Andrew
Gregg, who was one of the great men o,
Pennsylvsnia in the early part of this
century. He was representative frou
the Interior Of the State in the first Con
gress under the Constitution, and sat il
the House OF Representatives for eighteen
successive years. Then he was trans
ferred to the United States Senate. and
served aterm Of six years. Andrew Gregg
was a steady supporter of the Admins
trations of ths earlier Presidents, and es
peeially Of Jefferson and Madison. He
offered in Congress the famous war reso'
Iutions which preceded our last conflict
With Great Britain, and which ELECTED
the eloquence of Henry Clay and John
Randolph. After bis retirement from
Congress, be acted as Secretary OF the
Commonwealth during the Aduinistra-
ton of Governor Joseph Holster. Every
Penn-ylvanian of middle age will remen
Der the fierce and decisive State canvass
of s23, when the old Federal party. un-
der the lead of Andrew Gregg as their can
didate for Governor made last stand for
victory aud existence. aud were defeated
By the old Pepn.ylvauia Democracy, un
der the lead of Jno. Andrew Shulze
There can be no doubt that the grandson
ANDREW GREGG CURTIN, standard ar
er as be is of the real Democracy of the
State at this day, will fare better thar
his grandfather.
The subject Of our sketch was educated
at the Academy Of the Rev. j. kirkpat
rick. in Milton, Nortbum berland county
Mr. kirkpatrick, still living in Allegheny
county, was one of the old style Of in
structors. He turned out" bis boys
thoroughly impregnated with the alsssiO'
and mathe ustics 1t is quite eoince
dence, that Governor james Pollock
President of the late State Convention
which nominated Mr.. CURTIN, and
Messrs Samuel CALVIN and David Tar
CART, both candidates for the nomination
were eduested by the same Instructor
These three gentlemen, in their speeches
to the Convention, endorsing its nominee
referred, in most touching terms, to the
happy memories Of the sunny days when
they were boys together in the good old
Milton Academy.
After getting we'll imbued with as much
Latin, Greek, and mathematics as any ot
our colleges afford, the young CURTIN
was placed in the law Office and law school
of Judge Reed, of Carlisle. This school
was one of the departments of Dickinson
College, and as long as its Professor lived
it fiourisbed, and sent forth some Of the
best lawyers and public meu Of Peunsyl-
vanis. Judge Reed was we'll known for
bis "Penusylvania Blackstone" one oi
the first attempts ever made to adapt the
immortal "Commentsries" to our modern
law. He was frst-rate lawyer, and an
adept in teaching legal principles.
ANDREW G. CURTIN was admitted to
the Bar in 1889, and began the practice
of the Law in his native town. He imme
diately entered upon large aud varied
practice, and has ever since been constant
ly and actively employed 10 the Courts o.
the counties Of Centre, Clear6eld, MiffliI
and Clinton. His great inform alton, bis
vigorous mind, and his candor, recon
mended him to the Courts; his winning
style made him powerful with juries. He
rapidly became one of the best known
and most rising young men in eentrs
Pennsylvania.
A man with the gifts and temperament
of ANDREW G. CUTTIN could not fail tc
be largely interested and concerned il
public affairs. Strikiogly amiable, ge'
uisl, and warm hearted, of luminous
quick, and extensive intelligence, of the
most engaging address, endowed with q
fluent. facetious, and captivating elo'
quepce, and instinct With old PeDnsylva'
Dia traditions Of policy and patriotism
he threw himself at once into those po.
litical controversies which, as Burke tell.
us, are the noblest ewployments of the
cultivated man. He was an ardent and
thorough going Wing, and 10 ls4O he
be took an active part in that enthusias-
tic campaign which made General Har-
rison President of tbe United States. In
1914 he was a fervent adhereDt of the
illastrious candidate of the Wings, and
be stumped all central Pennsylvania fol
Henry Clay and Protection to American
Industry. In that struggle Mr.. CURTIN
frst acquired his widespread reputation
e. G.-t;r. md rasisflses n6nular eio