Senator from the Twenty-first District, 1853-4

Senator from the Nineteenth District 1867-8.

Mr. Curtenius was born in the city of New York, Sept. 30, 1806. His father, Peter Curtenius, was a General in the War of 1812, Marshal of the State of New York, and for many years member of the New York Legislature. He graduated at Hamilton College in 1823, studied law, then went to South America, enlisted as a Lieutenant, and helped free them from the yoke of Spain.

In 1831 he was Colonel of New York militia. In 1835 he moved to Michigan, and commenced farming at Grand Prairie. In 1847 he raised a company for the 1st Mich. Infantry, was Captain, and under Colonel Stockton served through the war with Mexico.

In 1855 he was appointed Adjutant General of Michigan, and held that position until 1861. He then became Colonel of the 6th Mich. Infantry, served in Louisiana, but being under arrest for refusing to surrender slaves to their masters, he indignantly resigned. He was Collector of Internal Revenue two years; President of Kalamazoo; for many years treasurer of the Michigan Asylum; president of the Kalamazoo City Bank; and an ardent friend and strong financial supporter of the female seminary. He was first a Whig, then a Republican; was a Presbyterian, and leading Odd Fellow. He died at Kalamazoo, July 13, 1883.