San Francisco
County
Biographies
JOHN M.
CURTIS
Mr. Curtis has been the architect of his own
fortune. At an early age he was left an orphan, and worked on the farm eight
years. He was thrown on his own resources, and his early lessons were those of
independence and persevering industry. He evinced great mechanical genius,
entered into service with Bent & Garrity,
builders ad contractors, and then of Mitchell &
Brady, architects of St. Louis, Mo. Since he has been in this State he has been
closely indentified as superintendent, builder and assistant or chief architect
of a large number of our largest and finest buildings. He was assistant
architect of the Baldwin Hotel and Theater, architect of the Sonoma County
Courthouse, Humboldt County Courthouse, Mutual Relief building of Petaluma,
Santa Cruz county buildings and jail, supervising architect of the new City
Hall, San Francisco, and architect of Boyd & Davis’ Winery, corner of
Second and Folsom streets, and Wells, Fargo & Co’s new building, San
Francisco.
He is a member of the San Francisco
Chapter of American Institute of Architects, and Treasurer of the same; he is
also a member of the Pacific Coast Chapter of American Institute Technical
Society of the Pacific Coast and has gained a high reputation in his
profession. Although he is one of the most active and busiest men in San
Francisco, his genial nature and benevolent heart have drawn him to our leading
fraternal Societies. He is a member of Mission Lodge, No. 169, F. and A. M.,
California Chapter, No. 5, California Council, No. 2, California Commandery, No. 1, and Isham
(sic) Temple. In the I. O. O. F. he holds memberships: Fidelity, 222, Oriental
Encampment, 57, Uniform Degree, No. 5, and Templar Rebecca Degree. As fitting
adjuncts he holds membership, S. F. Group Good Samaritans, No. 1, Ivy Chapter,
Order Eastern Star.
Mr. Curtis has a commanding form and
a strong attachment to military life. He is now Quartermaster Sergeant of the
Fifth Regiment, National Guard of California.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast, Page 140, Publ. Bancroft
Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
San Francisco County Biographies