Thomas Ormsby Curry

NOTES (2) "Portage County Gazette," Portage County, Wisconsin, July 13, 1904: "Jas. E. Corrigan departed for his home at Hico, Texas, last Saturday night, going from here to spend Sunday with his cousin, T. O. Currie, at Milwaukee." "The Age," Strathroy, of Ontario, Canada "Thomas Ormsby Currie -- Immigration agent for dominion of Canada with headquarters in Milwaukee, born 1849 on the spot where he died, 4th line south, 2 miles west of Strathroy. Councilor, Auctioneer known as "Silver tongued orator of Ontario" on same platform as Sir Wilfred Laurier and Chief Justice William Mulock for the Liberal cause. Shareholder in Farmers binder Twine Company of Brantford. 39 years ago he married Mary Ann Evans of St. Marys who survives with one daughter, Mrs. H. E. Dell, Tillsonburg and one son Harold at home. One brother John of Strathroy, Ontario and 2 sisters, Mrs. Jane Patterson, Port Arthur and Mrs. William Dawson, London, Ontario. He was Past Master of Beaver Lodge A. F. and A. M. Buried Strathroy."

"The Age" Strathroy, of Ontario, Canada, Thursday, October 21, 1909: "T. O. CURRIE DIED AT THE OLD HOMESTEAD The Well-Known Politician and Speaker Passes Away in Adelaide Township. Thomas Ormsby Currie, until recently an immigration agent for the Dominion of Canada, with headquarters at Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., Wis., died at his home near this town at an early hour Tuesday morning, in his 61st year. Deceased had been broken down in health for some months and early in April had been forced to leave his desk and come home to rest. He returned to his duties however, but the strain was too much for him and he was again forced to give up and return home. After a few weeks' rest he attempted a trip to the West, through Alberta and of Saskatchewan in the interests of the government, but was taken violently ill en route and was forced to return, this time completely broken down. It was then known for the first time that his case was serious and alarming symptoms developed. For the past ten days he had been confined to his bed and was unconscious most of the time. Mr. Currie was born in 1849 on the spot where he died on the 4th line of Adelaide, two miles west of Strathroy. When a young man, he entered municipal life in Adelaide township and for eight years was elected councilor, never once meeting defeat. When the Patrons of Industry were organized, he took a very prominent part, speaking throughout the province, and was a grand trustee of that organization and afterwards elected vice president. For some years he was a very successful auctioneer, conducting numerous sales throughout the district. After the Patrons became disorganized he devoted a great deal of his time in the interests of the Liberal government and spoke in many constituencies throughout the . He was known as the "silver tongued orator of Ontario" and fought on the same platform for the Liberal cause with Sir Wilfred Laurier and Chief Justice Sir William Mulock. It is said of him that no reporter could ever report him verbatim. He was a shareholder of the Farmers' Binder Twine Company of Brantford and was elected a member of the board of directors. He was also bailiff for the sixth division court for a number of years, but resigned in 1897, when he was appointed by Sir Wilfred Laurier to the position of Dominion immigration agent for the west with headquarters at Milwaukee, a position he filled most successfully almost up to the time of his death. Thirty nine years ago he married Mary Ann Evans of St. Mary's, who with one daughter Mrs. H. E. Dell, of Tillsonburg, and one son, Harold, at home, survive him. He also leaves one brother, John, of Strathroy, and two sisters, Mrs. Jane Patterson of Port Arthur, and Mrs. Wm. Dawson of London. Mr. Currie was a past master of Beaver Lodge, A. F. & A. M., under whose auspices the funeral will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock for the Strathroy cemetery."

"The Milwaukee Sentinel," Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin, October 26, 1909: ATTENDS CURRIE FUNERAL. John Callahan of this city was among those who attended the funeral of Thomas O. Currie, Milwaukee representative of the Canadian government. The two were close friends. Mr. Currie's death came suddenly after a brief illness incurred while on his vacation trip visiting the Toronto fair. He was taken to his home in Stratoy (sic), province of Ontario, where his death occurred. He had been government commissioner for the last nine years, and was well known. Before coming here he was Canadian agent at Stevens Point. Mr. Currie's wife resided in Stratoy(sic) and he maintained bachelor apartments at 180 Third street. He leaves a widow, a son, and a daughter. Both the children are married."

"Stevens Point Daily Journal," Stevens Point, Portage Co., Wisconsin, October 26, 1909: "DEATH OF THOS. O. CURRIE A short, indefinite paragraph in this morning's Milwaukee Sentinel announces the death of Thomas O. Currie at his home at Stratoy (sic), Ontario. The brief allusion to the fact does not mention the time or cause of death, but simply states that he was taken sick while attending the Toronto fair, and was removed to his home at Stratory (sic), where he died after a short illness. Mr. Currie had held a position as land commissioner for the Canadian government for nine years."

"Portage County Gazette," Portage Co., Wisconsin, October 27, 1909: "T. O. Currie Dead in Canada The announcement of the death of T. O. Currie, Canadian land commissioner, is learned with regret by that gentleman's many friends in Stevens Point, where he made his headquarters for several years prior to a few years ago, since which time he has been located in Milwaukee. He passed away last week at his old home in Strathroy, province of Ontario, Canada, after a brief illness, and where he had been on a vacation trip. Mr. Currie was 59 years of age and is survived by his wife, one son and a daughter. He was a man of much ability, a brilliant talker and a companionable gentleman, most loyal to the government of King Edward. He was a cousin of Mrs. J. R. Means, of this city, and the Corrigan families of Stockton and Buena Vista."

"The Age" Strathroy, of Ontario, Canada, October 28, 1909, page 2: "FUNERAL OF T. O. CURRIE ONE OF LARGEST IN ADELAIDE TP. The funeral of the late T. O. Currie took place from the old homestead, 4th line Adelaide township on Thursday last, to Strathroy Cemetery, and was attended by a large concourse of friends. The services at the house were conducted by Rev. C. F. Clarke of Kerwood, and Rev. M. L. Pearson of Strathroy. A short service was conducted by the Masonic fraternity who attended in a body. The grave was covered with floral offerings from sorrowing friends. Among those who attended the funeral from a distance were Wm. Murdock, Wm. Spence and Miss Spence, and Mrs. Wm. Dawson, London, and John Callaghan of Milwaukee, personal friends of the deceased. The bearers were six nephews of the late Mr. Currie, Dr. R. R. Patterson of Coldwater, Michigan; Thos. Patterson of Chatham, John A. Patterson of Collinswood; T. F. Clarke (sic) of London, John and Edward Currie of Strathroy. Mrs. Currie and family received many expressions of sympathy, among which was a wire from W. J. Whyte, inspector of immigration, Ottawa, expressing profound sympathy and stating that if at all possible he would attend the funeral and represent the department. As he was leaving town, Mr. Callaghan said: Mr. Currie was a true and person friend of mine and I have travelled over 400 miles to attend his funeral. He had many warm friends in Milwaukee, who will be extremely sorry to hear of his death."

"Stevens Point Weekly Journal," Stevens Point, Portage Co., Wisconsin, October 30, 1909: "FORMERLY LOCATED HERE. Thos. O. Currie, whose death was briefly mentioned in Tuesday evening's Journal, was at one time located in this city but later was transferred to Milwaukee, where the land office which he conducted is still maintained. He was instrumental in securing thousands of settlers for northwest Canada. He leaves a widow in Stratoy (sic), Ontario; also a son and daughter, both married. Mr. Currie must have been upwards of 70 years of age, but was a well preserved and active man for one of his years. He was a well read man of keen intellect and was a very interesting conversationalist and public speaker. When here he lived at the Arlington and made many warm friendships among local business and professional men and was always delighted to get a day off to renew old acquaintances around the tables in the Arlington card room. The name Currie is a contraction for Corrigan, and the deceased was more or less closely related to the Corrigans residing in Portage County."