The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-01-12
for lie had thousands of sincere

friends.
Cornelius S. Curtis was type of the
successful business man who, by his
own efforts. had risen to a position in
the business world which is achieved
only by those who have strength OF
character. He was born in Chenango
county New York, on Aug. l. 1851. the
son OF John S. and Elizabeth Curtis,
and was therefore GA years. months
and ) days old. When eighteen years
of age he joined his brothers, Charles
F. and George NJ Curtis, in their sash
and door factory at Clinton, Iowa, COM
mencing his business career by enter
ing the factory and thoroughly learn
ing the practical end Of the business.
In 1872 he went on the road for the
firm and his trips brought him to Wau-
sau.-- He graspad the opportunity
there was here for factory of the
same kind. and in 1881 the firm of Cur
tbs Bros & company was established
here as branch OF the Clinton COM
.pany. In 1893 the Curtis & Yale COM
pany was incorporated. taking over
the local business and also the jobbing
house at Minneapolis of the same
itNlS. oldl tlllS III q a4idAl Ne's' IiN
local company is now the largest fac
tory in the city, employing about 900
people, and one of the largest of its
kind in the state. 1t has successfully
weathered all financial storms OF the
past thirty-four years, largely through
the business acumen of the deceased.
In addition to the Curtis & Yale
company, of which he was president
when he died. Mr.. Curtis was also
president of the Fenwood Lumber
company and president of the Ingram
Lumber company. When the First
National bank was organized III 1882
he was elected director. which posi-
ton he has held ever since. In 1903,
as an appreciation Of his steadfast
work, he was hcnored by being made
second vice president of the bank,
succeeding the late r. E. Parcher, be-
ing reelected every year since that
time. He brought to the banks at
fairs the same keen judgment and
strict integrity which have been prom
inent characteristics of his life.
Mr.. Curtis was married at Clinton,
Iowa. to Miss Emma M. Gulick. of that
city. who, with two sons. John E. and
Walter E.. both Of this city, and five
grandchildren, survive him.
He was natural leader, strong
executive. He handled his large force
CT men with a firm hand, but always
with exact justice. His integrity was
never questioned, his good faith never
doubted. He Was always identified
with the best things in the city and
was always foremost in the. endeayor
to make Nausau biggr. and better
city in which to live. He was a con-
sistent member of the Baptist church
and liberal contributor to its main
tenance.
An ardent republican. he was never
an office seeker or Office holder, though
he was a delegate to the national con-
yention in 1892, which nominated Ben
jamin Harrison for president. He
was. always u regular republican. new
er trailing off after false gods, and was
o firm believer in the. principles ana
traditions of the party He served
several terms as member of the board
of education and as supervisor on the
county board
Mr.. Curtis was member of the
Wausau club, of which he had served
as president, of the Wausau Country
club and was a thirty-second degree
Mason, being member OF all local
Masonic bodies and of the Wisconsin
Consistory.
He was also vice president of the
Great Northern Life Insurance COM
pany of Wausau and a director of the
Wausau Street Railroad company.
1t is sad coincidence that his
elder brother, Charles Franklin Cur
tis, Of Clinton. Iowa, died of apoplexy
on December 21st,