My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS CURRAH, dealer in furniture, carpets, stoves, and second hand goods, Joplin, was born in the county of Durham, England, April 3, 1885. His parents, Emmerson and Frances (Rutherford) Currah, were also, natives of England, where our subject grew to manhood, receiving a liberal education. He immigrated to America in 1852, sailing from Liverpool on the Bob Kelly and after a voyage of six weeks, arrived at New York and, coming west to Wisconsin, engaged in mining until the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in Company C, Fiftieth Wisconsin Regiment Infantry Volunteers, Colonel Clark commanding, and served about sixteen months; he was appointed commissary sergeant shortly after enlistment. He was mustered out at Madison, Wis., in the spring of l865, and returned to Lafayette county, same state, re-engaging in mining until 1873, when he went to Marquette county, Mich., and followed the same business. Mr. Currah was married in Ottawa, LaSalle county, Ill., Dec. 24, 1854, to Miss Sarah Elliott, also a native of England, born in County Durham, March 28, 1835. From this union there have been six children: Richard V., born March 15, 1856, and died August 2d of the same year; John E., born Feb. 12, 1857; Sarah T., born August 2, 1864; Mary J., born Jan. 27, 1866, and died March 13th of the same year; Thos. M., born May 21, 1868, and Jos. W., born Oct. 4, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. C.’s place of business is on Main Street, between Second and Broadway; carries a full line of furniture, carpets, stoves, cutlery, and second hand goods.