Legislator Details
Portrait of Frederick W. Curenius scanned from Rep.Dist. 4 page following p.18.
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Elizabeth Fowler of NY in 1826; she died in 1867; children: 3, Catherine A. (Robinson), Charles C. and Helen Maria; married Kate Knettles Woodbury, dau. of J.P. Woodbury of Kalamazoo,1868; children: 8, Carrie W., Helen R. (Statler), Wilhelmina*, Mary Lasher*, Anna Woodbury*, Frederick Pierre*, Alfred Edward and Dwight Ransom
children: 11 total; *= died in 1881; 8 died before 1905
Number of Children: 11
Background
Education:
graduated from Hamiliton College, Oneida County, NY in 1823, and then studied law.
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Peter and Mary Anna Curtenius, arrested Aaron Burr for treason. Frederick attended Hamilton College, Oneida Co., NY, denied his degree due to a prank. In 1831, joined the NY militia as a colonel. In 1835, bought a farm in Michigan. Raised 1st Reg. of Michigan Infantry, 1847; fought in the War of Mexico. Colonel of the 6th Reg. of Michigan Infantry during the Civil War. Resigned his command when ordered to return slaves to their owners. Elected President of the village of Kalamazoo in 1866. He served various local and state positions in government. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows and represented it to the Grand Lodge.
Notable Facts:
Cyc gives birth yr as 1805. His maternal gr-father gave the 1st public reading of the Declaration of Independence in NY. Frederick fought with Simon Bolivar in South Amer. Adjutant gen. of Michigan, 1855-61. When he left his position as the President, Collector of Internal Revenue for the 4th Congressional district his statement of difference did not exceed two cents, even though he had received and dispersed one million dollars. Contributed largely to the success of the Michigan Female Seminary. President of Kalamazoo City Bank.