Bennington

CURTIS, John

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 87 
(portrait p 87)

John CURTIS, of North Dorset, was born 24 December 1819 in North Dorset 
[Bennington County, Vermont], son of Daniel and Betsey (BOWEN) CURTIS. 
Educated in the common schools, and fitted for college at the Burr Seminary 
of Manchester and the Castleton Academy, and after this preliminary 
instruction graduated from U. V. M. in 1847. During his school days, in 
connection with his brother, he made many experiments in electricity, 
proposing to communicate instantaneously from one place to another by this 
means through a wire properly arranged. While he was pursuing his collegiate 
course, he was greatly dismayed to learn that Professor MORSE had invented 
the magnetic telegraph, which he had put in operation, and thus anticipated 
all efforts of Mr. CURTIS in that direction.

After graduation he continued with mechanics and became a scientific and 
mechanical engineer. He was soon employed by the state of New York to look 
after the engines and other mechanical appliances used in the state's prison 
at Dannemora [Clinton County]. Being convinced of the importance of using 
steam expansively, he constructed a valve which he attached to the engine in 
the machine shop, whereby it was forced to use steam in this manner, and the 
experiments proved successful. At this time the U. V. M. honored him with 
the degree of A. M. Soon after he left Dannemora and returned to his native 
place, where he was interested in the construction of the Bennington & 
Rutland Railroad. He has made various improvements in engines, on three of 
which he has patents. It is in no small measure owing to his efforts that he 
has the satisfaction of seeing the engine of today do its work with less than 
a fourth of the fuel formerly required.

In 1851 Mr. [John] CURTIS was married to the widow of the late Dr. COCHRAN of 
Dorset [Bennington County, Vermont]. On 06 July 1865 he was again united to 
Nancy Mosher, daughter of Alba and Rebecca (MOSHER) MARSHALL of Troy 
[Rensselaer County], New York. Two children have been born to them: Marion 
Ada and John Daniel. Mr. CURTIS has always been a strong Republican, but 
without disposition for office seeking; always interested in education, 
however, he has been superintendent of schools continuously about twenty 
years. In 1884 he consented to nomination of state senator for Bennington 
County, and was elected.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly