John L. Currie

John L. Currie

John L. Currie. In the death of John L. Currie, which occurred at his home in Carthage September 4, 1916, Moore County lost one of its most valuable and valued citizens. Mr. Currie exemplified many traits that are everywhere accepted as the fundamentals of good citizenship, and for all his success in material affairs his life meant most for its sturdy and irreproachable character.

He was born November 4, 1861, three miles east of Carthage near Union Church, son of Neill P. and Jeannettee (Leach) Currie, both of whom were of Scotch ancestry. While of good family connections, he grew up in a period when the entire country was practically poverty stricken as a result of the devastations of war. When he began to take the larger outlook on life, due to years of manhood, there were no industries or opportunities within reach, and his early life had been one of constant toil. He and his brothers practically took care of the household, and it was as a result of overcoming obstacles that he was able to satisfy his ambitions for an education. He attended the famous Union Home School, and after finishing there was a teacher for a time. His old associates remember him in young manhood as a youth of splendid appearance, and with fine character showing in every word and deed.

He had capacity for leadership and was early drawn into politics, and the record he made is one that may be read with pride by all his descendants. The first political office he held was that of county surveyor, to which he was elected on the democratic ticket when still a very young man. In 1886, the county being at that time strongly republican, he was accorded the democratic nomination for sheriff against the republican incumbent, William M. Black, a man who for years had been of powerful prestige and influence in Moore County. The election resulted in the defeat of Mr. Currie, but that was the beginning of the overthrow of the republican majority, and two years later, when he was renominated, he was elected, defeating Mr. Black for sheriff by a comfortable majority. The citizens of Moore County always regard with a great deal of satisfaction the splendid record made by John L. Currie as sheriff. He held that office four terms in succession, a period of eight years, and was a most popular as well as efficient officer. In 1898 he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature from Moore County.

In a business way he was successfully identified from 1900 until his death with lumber manufacturing at Carthage. He was also one of the founders and the principal owner of the Bismarck Hosiery Mill at Carthage. His later prosperity enabled him to accumulate a large amount of mining and other real estate in the county seat and county. Though he was only fifty-five years of age at the time of his death, he had achieved, from the humble beginnings which have been suggested, and with only the assets of good character, a fine sense of honor and industry, a business position such as all might well envy.

Mr. Currie built his home on the top of the hill at Carthage, on an elevation that overlooks the most beautiful expanse of surrounding country for many miles. This is the home of his family and one of the best in Moore County. At the time of his death Mr. Currie was chairman of the Board of Road Commissioners of Carthage township.

In early boyhood he joined the Presbyterian Church, and his entire life was an expression of Christian principle. He was devoted to his church and Sunday school, served for many years as ruling elder of the church at Carthage, and was for about an equally long time superintendent of the Sunday school. To him more than to any other one person was due the building of the handsome new church edifice at Carthage.

Mr. Currie married Miss Mary Belle Mclver, of Sanford, daughter of the late Daniel B. McIver, of Moore County. Mrs. Currie and five children survive her honored husband, the children being Wilbur, William, Mary Lynn, John and Dwight.

Source: History of North Carolina, Vol. VI, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York ©1919