Orleans

CURRIER, John Winnick

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 86-87 
(portrait p 86)

John Winnick CURRIER, of North Troy, was born 05 April 1835 in North Troy 
[Orleans County, Vermont], son of John and Mary (ELKINS) CURRIER. Mr. 
CURRIER is a fine representative of American self-made men. When only nine 
years old he graduated from the "little red schoolhouse" and went with his 
father into the cotton mills at Palmer [Hampden County], Massachusetts, and 
from this date he has only himself to thank for his success in life's 
struggle and for the liberal education which he has derived from keen 
observation, undaunted energy and honorable ambition. After leaving the 
cotton mills he removed to Holyoke [Hampden County, Massachusetts], where he 
learned the jeweler's trade, and in 1854 went to Boston [Suffolk County, 
Massachusetts] to take charge of a wholesale jewelry store.

In 1854 he enlisted in the Springfield City Guards under Col. Henry S. 
BRIGGS, and when the civil war began [1861] he hastened from Pennsylvania to 
join his company, which had volunteered its services in response to President 
LINCOLN's first call for troops. After doing duty for a time at the U. S. 
Arsenal in Springfield [Windsor County, Vermont], he was enrolled for three 
years, 31 May 1861, and mustered in as sergeant in Company F, Tenth 
Massachusetts Infantry, serving with his regiment at the Washington Navy Yard 
and Arsenal until 09 August 1862, when he was sent to Massachusetts to assist 
in recruiting a regiment. On 06 January 1862 he was discharged for 
promotion. Made adjutant of the First Virginia Volunteers, 26 November 1862, 
he was appointed additional paymaster U. S. Volunteers 14 January 1863, which 
post he declined in order to accept from the provost marshal of the Army of 
the Potomac a position for furnishing military clothing and equipments, being 
stationed at City Point, Virginia.

In 1871he returned to North Troy, bought the old homestead and erected an 
elegant residence thereon, and has created a model farm from the estate. His 
winters are mostly spent in Boston or on his Southern plantation. Mr. 
CURRIER is a very public-spirited man and has done much for the benefit of 
his native village [North Troy]/ He planned and was chiefly instrumental in 
constructing the present fine system of waterworks. He is a member of Post 
Bailey No. 67, Grand Army of the Republic, one of the largest posts in the 
county, and gave Camp J. W. Currier, Sons of Veterans, No. 81, a fine flag. 
He is also president of the Orleans County Veterans' Association and an 
honorary member of the State National Guard.

In politics a strong adherent of the Democratic party, he has been entrusted 
with nearly all the town offices, was made town representative in 1878 and 
again in 1882; has been Democratic candidate for member of Congress and 
Lieutenant Governor; has attended every national convention since 1872, 
nearly always as delegate or alternate; and was U. S. Deputy Marshal for four 
years under President CLEVELAND's first administration. In religious 
profession he is an Episcopalian. Since 1871 Mr. CURRIER has been 
extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and has erected at North 
Troy a flouring mill with a capacity of 100 barrels per day. He was 
interested in building the Clyde River Railroad, now a part of the Central 
Pacific Railway system, and was one of the original constructors of the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. He has given much attention to the formation of 
companies for handling patent rights and developing mines.

On 09 November he [John Winnick CURRIER] married Eveline, daughter of John E. 
and Laura (WILLARD) CHAMBERLAIN, of Newbury [Orange County, Vermont]. Of 
this union were two sons: John, deceased; and Charles Elliot. An adopted 
daughter is the wife of T. L. WADLEIGH, of Meredith [Belknap County], New 
Hampshire. Mr. CURRIER is naturally very social in his tastes, and is a Free 
Mason, and a member of the Scotch Charitable Society in Boston, the oldest 
organization of the kind in America.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly