The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 24, 1945, Page 6

PAGE SIx ve secee bd ee SOCIETY SOSOCOC SOS SEEDOESOOESETOOSSOOCSOOSLOSEOSESES LIFE STORY OF WILLIAM CURRY LIKE MAN’S DREAM OF MAKING MILLIONS By PATRICIA FOR TODAY’S COLUMN I am going to reprint a biograph- ical notice from the Daily Equa- tor-Democrat trade edition of March 1889 showing the prom- ise of Key West as exemplified by the career of William Curry,! Key 'West’s richest citizen then. eee WILLIAM CURRY, who by the way is the oldest settler in Key West living at this writing on the island, and the richest man, perhaps in Florida, was bern on Green Turtle Key on the 11th Day of September, 1821, and came to Key West on the 3rd of March 1837, landing when he was but sixteen years of age, and began business as a clerk with Messrs Weaver and Bald- win, where he remained for eighteen months, when this firm retired from business and Mr. Curry accepted a situation with William H. Wall, dedler in gen- eral merchandise and remained in his employ until 1643, at-or about which time he oegan the mercantile business for nimseif; but owing to iis limited capitel he entered into co-partnership with Geo. L. Bowne in 1845, and began bus:ness on the corner of Duval and Front stieets un- der the firm name of Bowne and Curry, dealers in general mer- chandise and ship where they remained until 1846 when their spacious store and contents were all either leveled to the ground or blown ay during the famous hurricane of that year; the firm sustaining a loss of some $10.000 or $12.000. Soon after the hurricane this firm purchased the rroperty or Front street. between Simonton and Elizabeth streets, where William Curry now conducts a large mercantile business. tr + AT THE BEGINNING of the late war, in 1861, Mr. Curry purchased the entirc interest of Mr. Bowne, both real estate and personal property, and the lat left Key West for the home of his nativity in one of the north- ern states. Since that date Mr. Curry has not had a partner and his business has steadily gro till today he conducts the ] general merchandise chandlere and ship chandlery establishment in the state, to say nothing of his large wharf and way interests that constantly demand his per- sonal attention. KK SK MR. CURRY is a genuine sample of self made men, and it can truthfully be said that he has been the “architect >f his own fortune” and right royally he has carved it out, too, He is reputed to be worth be- tween three and five million dollars; but on the contrary says that one million will cover his entire wealth. This, of course, is hardly believed, and it is the only instance where we ever heard his word doubted. kkk THE DIMENSIONS of hi present mercantile house are 100 x 75 feet, to say nothing of a large store house hard by which is near as large; both to- gether contain goods to the amount of $100,000. Mr. Curry takes a lively interest in the agement of his business and gives his personal n to them although he is ably assisted by his four sons, Messrs. Charles, George H., Robert O. and Milton Curry, the Jatter. while the youngest, fills the important position of bookkeeper to the entire estab- lishment. Of course these younZ gentlemen are assisted by a competent corps of salesmen and other help. xk kk MR. CURRY has given a f-rst- class collegiate education to each of his children, and prepar- ed'them with ample weapons to combat with the world should misfortune ever over take them, which is ,hatdly probable, con- sidering that a greater portion of their father’s wealth consists in Berthe Se PIERCES HAVE SON Announcement has been made of the birth of a son, weighing 6 pounds 9 and a quar- ter ounces, to Mr. William C. Pierce last night at the Naval Hospital. The new arrival has been given the name of Michael Lee. The - Pierce family resides at 905 Soutn street. Mr. p is and I street. such property that is constantly increasing in value. ck *k & MR. CURRY is not known in Key West as being possessed of vast wealth, but he is also known as one of the most enterprising public spirit- ed and liberal hearted citizens on the island, ever ready to lend a helping hand to a worry ob- ject, or to encourage any public enterprise that may be for the good of the community; and it is the sincere wish of every citizen in Key West that Mr. Curry may live many years yet to enjoy a portion of that for- tune he has so rightly won. STRAND THEA ALEXANDER KNOX in “WILSON” Coming: MONROE THEATER BENNY GOODMAN ir “SWEET and LOWDOWN” Coming: Rates Reasonable 60 N.E. 3rd Street @0 Rooms - Elevator Solarium 3 BLOCKS FROM UNION and Mrs.! the son of Mra alone | “Dangerous Passage” | “Bermuda Mystery” | two noters In [VI] A Mi = rorczan prices LOCATED IN HEART OF CITY ROOMS WITH BATH and TELEPHONE FORD HOTEL © PERSHING HOTEL THE KEY WEST CITIZEN SANTA CLAUS AT Rogelio Gomez is going to play} Santa Claus Christmas Day to the} children of Key West. j All children, who like to ride on the merry-go-round, the Ferris! wheel and kiddy cars, may call at} the Fireman’s Amusement Park.| 713-15 Duyal street, and ride to} their hearts’ content without pay-| ing a penny. H “There will be free rides for: all,” Mr. Gomez said this morn- ing, “and I hope that the chil-} dren of Key West will take ad- vantage of my offer, which wil! | be in effect all Christmas Day.” Chinese Communist says party aim is democratic capitalism. BERMUDA MARKET CHRISTMAS GREETINGS We Wish All Patrons and Friends A Genuinely Merry Yuletide and Prosperous, Happy New Year * White and Eliza Streets PHONE 52 Write or Wire for Reservations 226 N.E. ist Avenue 100 Rooms - Elevator Heated BUS S,ATION Season’s Greetings THE BROADWAY === MARKET 1945 TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS We'd like to visit each and every one of you person- ally, to spread the glad tidings of the season—but in- stead we’re extending our heartfelt wishes through this message. And looking forward to 1946, we hope it brings you the realization of every aspiration. We Thank You for Your Patronage The Management and Staff. Duval and Petronia Streets Key West, Florida ITIP LILLLL LL AAA AAA Ahh hdd TIBI AD I aS. SERIAL STORY CHAPTER NOT IN THIS ISSUE, The preponderance of Christ- mas advertisemenis appearing in this issue has caused the crowding out of the 17th chap- ter of AP’s serial story, “The Fourth Mrs. Baker.” The story will be resumed in | MONDAY ‘RENE ESTRADA ON BOARD DESTROYER t (Special to T © Citizen) ON THE USS PAUL HAMIL- TON, Dec. 24—Rene E sonraman, third class, 412 A street, Ke | consecutive months in th of the fight earning a repu' “lucky” shi The Hami THE WEATHER FORECAST VIPTTIFOFOFATTOFOOPPOCPOPOPOPPPALLLLALAOAAPALLALALLLALALALLLLALL AL Ld The Citizen Wednesday. TID IIS SL aS. Rockefeller gives million <o church group to aid Europe. invasions ian, | Battle of the Pi TIIITOAIIISISIVDISEOIIIIOIIIIIIOILIDIIOT A We Wish You and Yours the Merriest Christmas Ever! The holly wreaths are hung with bright ribbon as always. There'll be gay get-togethers of family and friends, old and young—to eat bountifuliy and sing Christmas carols tegether This, our first peace-time Christmas in five long years, will be the merriest Christmas ever, and we wish you and yours every good wish for the holiday season. SOUTHERNMOST CITY PHARMACY, Ine. PRESCRIPTION DRUGGESTS Duval and Fleming Streets PHONE i199 N . . 5 N N , , N ‘ 4 ‘ 8 , , 4 . . . . e ‘ : \ , , ® x , N : . » » . N % . N N : .) * a a x » * ‘ ‘ x ‘ ‘ N & PAA test ig te¢ttt¢z¢d¢eddtrrttttzscéaeztdststdddddédééidédés