Source: The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. III pg.173 1923
Author: The History of Florida: Past & Present
CURTIS, PAUL A., proprietor of Henson Motor Sales
Company of Tampa, is a veteran in the automobile industry, and widely
known as an expert in every detail of motor mechanics. He is a
very capable business man and salesman as well.
Mr. CURTIS was born at Hudson, North Carolina, July
27, 1889, son of JOHN and ELLEN E. (CHEEKE) CURTIS, natives of the same
state. He was the fourth in their family of eight children.
He was five years of age when his parents moved to Toccoa, Georgia, and
when he was about nine, they established their home in Atlanta.
PAUL A. CURTIS was reared and educated in Atlanta, and at the age of
eighteen enlisted in the navy and served four years. After his
honorable discharge he returned to Atlanta, and for a short time had an
experience in the automobile business there. In 1915 he came to
Lakeland, Florida, and for one year operated the Dixie Highway Garage
and for another year operated the Kentucky Automobile Shop on his own
account. During a portion of the World war he was in the
merchant-marine stationed at Florida. In November, 1918, on
returning to Lakeland he engaged in the general automobile repair
business as member of the firm Mehaig-Curtis-Mehaig. In May,
1919, the members of this firm bought the Dixie Highway Garage.
In October, 1920, Mr. CURTIS sold his business at Lakeland, and for a
year or more, operated a place on Lake Hollingsworth as a chicken and
poultry farm. February 1, 1922, he bought the Henson Motor Sales
Company at Tampa, and now operates a high class general repair and
accessory shop and is sales and distributing agent in this territory
for the Henson-Dixie car, manufactured at Atlanta. He has a fine
storeroom 60 by 75 feet at the corner of Seventh and Franklin streets.