John C. Currier

John C. Currier, United States Pension Agent, was born in New Hampshire, September 9, 1844, his parents being early settlers of New England.  Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, before reaching manhood, he enlisted in the Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, served in the Army of the Potomac, and was in many of the battles in which the Ninth Army Corps participated. In 1863 he was transferred to the western department under Grant and Sherman.  Was in the siege of Vicksburg, and after the capitulation of that place was in the campaign of east Tennessee and siege of Knoxville.  In the spring of 1864 he joined the Army of the Potomac in time to take part in the battles of the Wilderness, and was twice wounded while making charge.  He received a bullet in his face, and was taken to the hospital in Washington.  Was promoted and commissioned Captain for meritorious service.  In August, 1864, he joined his regiment and was engaged in the battles around Petersburg, and also in the battle of Polar Springs Church, where he was wounded, being shot in the face, September, 1864, and was left for dead on the field.  He crawled from the field a long distance. After spending some time in the hospital he was sent home to recover from his wound.

     After the war, in 1866 he received an appointment as Second Lieutenant in the regular army, Twenty-first Regiment, United States Infantry, and in the spring of 1869 came to the Pacific coast with his regiment, and remained in service until 1870, when he resigned, and since that time has been a resident of San Luis Obispo county, and engaged in stock-raising.  In his social relations he is connected with a number of fraternal organizations, being Master of the San Miguel Lodge, A.F. & A.M., member of San Luis Chapter and a Knight Templar, Noble Grand of a lodge of the I.O.O.F., a member of the Grange, and Past Commander of John Buford Post, No. 136. 

     In 1869 Captain Currier was married to Miss N. B. Smith, of Manchester, New Hampshire.  they have two children.  One son, Charles W., a native son, is Secretary of San Marcos Parlor.  The daughter's name is Nataline.

 

Transcribed 9-29-04 Marilyn R. Pankey