Roland Curry
Source: The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol.II pg.292 1923
Author: The History of Florida: Past & Present
CURRY, ROLAND, who is giving an excellent administration of the office
of sheriff of Monroe County and is one of the highly esteemed citizens
of Key West, was born on the Bahama Islands, September 30, 1869, and is
a son of the late HENRY and MARGARET (WETHERFORD) CURRY, both natives
of England. HENRY CURRY became a sea captain, owned and commanded
a vessel in the sponge trade, and he became a citizen of the United
States prior to the birth of his son Roland, of this sketch.
Captain Curry passed the closing period of his long and useful life at
Key West, where he died in 1916. At the venerable age of eighty-six
years and nine months, his wife having preceded him to the life eternal.
ROLAND CURRY acquired his early education in the
schools of the Bahama Islands and was a lad of twelve years when the
family home was established at Key West, Florida, where he continued to
attend school two years. Thereafter he worked at various
locations, largely in connection with the sponge business, until he
entered an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade, at which he
became a skilled workman. He continued to follow his trade until
he entered service as a member of the city police department of Key
West. Later the state health officer, Dr. J.V. PORTER, appointed
him a state sanitary patrol officer, and of this position he continued
the incumbent several years, he having served in the laboratory
department at the time when ports of the state were under close
supervision to avoid the entrance of persons affected with the bubonic
plague then prevalent. After his retirement from service with the
health department Sheriff CURRY resumed the work of his trade, but
within a short time he was appointed chief deputy sheriff, a position
which he retained until the retirement of Sheriff A.H. McINNIS, when he
became a candidate for the sheriff, to which he was elected in the fall
of 1920 and the duties of which he assumed in January, 1921, for the
prescribed term of four years. The Sheriff is a staunch supporter
of the cause of the democratic
party, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. In the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with
both York and Scottish Rite bodies, as well as the Mystic Shrine, and
he is a member also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Order of the Golden Eagle. December 26, 1903,
recorded the marriage of Sheriff CURRY and Miss SARAH E., daughter of
ADIN R. and ILLA (SANDS) ROBERTS, of Monroe County, the parents having
been born in England and the father having become a successful
Florida farmer. Sheriff and Mrs. CURRY have six children:
GLADYS, MIZPAH, NAOMI, GILBERT, ALLEN and IDA FAY. The eldest
daughter, GLADYS, is the wife of JAMES KEATING, and they reside in Key
West. Their one child is a son, ROLAND, named in honor of his
maternal grandfather.
Presented by Nancy Rayburn