W.

L. CURRY was born in Union county, Ohio, June 25, 1839. He is the son of Stephenson Curry, and his grandfather, Colonel James Curry, was an officer of the "Continental Line" in the 4th and 8th Virginia during the War of the Revolution, and was granted, as part payment for his service, one thousand acres of land in Union county and the family settled in that county in the year 1811. Mr. Curry, the subject of this sketch, worked on his father's farm during his boyhood days until he arrived at the age of twenty-one. He was given a good education in the country schools and he also attended a private select school for two or three terms at the old academy in Marysville, the county seat, and taught school in the county four winters. In the fall of 1860 he entered the Otterbein College at Westerville, Ohio, intending to complete a scientific course in three years, and in January, 1861, commenced the study of law. The fall of 1860 ended his school days, as at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion he enlisted in an infantry company in April, 1861, for the first three months' service. At the organization of the company he was elected First Lieutenant and the company commenced drilling at once, but the quota. of Ohio was filled before this company was mustered in. He then enlisted in the first call for three years' troops as a private in the First Ohio

State Commissioner of Soldiers' Claims.

Volunteer Cavalry. At the organization of the company he was appointed Orderly Sergeant and was promoted successively to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and to the Captaincy of his company, and also served several months as Regimental Quartermaster. Colonel Curry served through the war with his regiment, participating in all of the battles of the Army of the Cumberland, including the Siege of Corinth, Miss., Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and the campaign of the "One hundred days under fire from Chattanooga to Atlanta.'

He was at one time a prisoner of war and was discharged by reason of "injuries received in the line of duty," after a service of three and one-half years at the front.

After the war he engaged in the mercantile business in Union county, until the year 1875, and that year he was elected Auditor of Union county and served as County Auditor three successive terms. On retiring from that office he engaged in the lumber business and in which he still retains an interest. He served as Assistant Adjutant General of Ohio during both of President McKinley's terms as Governor, and also served in the National Guard of Ohio five years as Lieutenant Colonel of the 14th Regiment, O. V. I.

His family has been engaged in all the wars in this country since the Revolution and two brothers served through the War of the Rebellion, and one of whom attained the rank of Captain. He has always taken a great interest in military affairs and has written and published the history of "Union County in the War," a history of the "First Ohio Cavalry" and a number of patriotic poems.

PURPOSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

This office was created by act of the Legislature of Ohio, passed April 12, 1900. W. L. Curry, the present Commissioner, was appointed immediately after the passage of the act and his commission bears date of April 12, 1900. The following extract from the law sets forth the duties required of the Commissioner:

"That for the purpose of preparing and collecting the claims of Ohio soldiers, and their legal representatives, against the government of the United States, growing out of military services, and for the protection and relief of Ohio soldiers, whether in the service or discharged, there be and is hereby established, at the seat of government of the State, an office of Ohio soldiers' claims."

"The chief of said office shall be styled the 'Commissioner of Soldiers' Claims,' and he shall be appointed by the Governor."

"It shall be the duty of the Commissioner, on demand, to furnish and give all necessary instructions and advice to soldiers and marines

State Commissioner of Soldiers' Claims.

of Ohio, or their heirs, or legal representatives, respecting the claims of such soldiers and marines against the United States for pension, bounty, back pay, or otherwise, by reason of military service, and to collect such claims, and perform all other duties which the Governor may require of him appertaining to the duties of said office."

"The Commissioner shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations, he shall keep a seal of office, and his official certificate shall be received in evidence without further authentication."

"He is required to give a bond in the sum of $10,000 conditioned for the faithful performance of his duty. and all claims prosecuted is without expense to the claimant."

The term of office is for two years and the Commissioner holds his office until his successor has been appointed and qualified.

T

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE.

HE State Insurance Department was established by the Act of March 12, 1872. Prior to that time, insurance companies were regulated by the Department of the State Auditor, under the Act of April 15, 1867. The Bureau of Building and Loan Companies was added to the department May 1, 1891, and subsequently Bond Investment companies. All insurance companies, operating in Ohio, are required to annually submit statements, reporting their financial condition on December 31, and other information required by law and the regulations of the department. No insurance company and no agent of nonOhio companies is permitted to transact business, unless duly licensed by the department. Licenses expire annually, and, if compliance with the law is shown, the licenses are usually renewed.

As a comparative statement of general interest, the following figures disclose the extent of the business transacted in Ohio and supervised the first year of the department, 1872, and the last year, 1900, viz. :

In 1872 Sixty-seven life insurance companies and associations wrote in Ohio, risks aggregating $30,187,044.00, receiving premiums of $4,943,260.70, and paid losses of $1,481,538.87. One hundred thirtyeight insurance companies and associations other than life wrote risks aggregating $378,690,031.37, receiving premiums of $4,530,743.75, paying in losses, $1,609,295.81.

In 1890 - Seventy-four life insurance companies and associations (other than fraternals) wrote risks in Ohio, aggregating $128,426,652.38, receiving premium aggregating $16,616,906.92, paying losses of $7,809,375.92. Sixty-four fraternal beneficiary associations wrote risks aggregating $48,254.563.00, and paying losses of $1.974.367.32. Three hundred thirteen insurance companies other than life wrote risks aggregating $1,122,591,052.99, receiving premiums of $10,234,265.59, and paying losses of $6,222,794.11.

In 1872, the receipts of the department were fees aggregating $26,246.71, and the expenses, including salaries, were $9.440.93. While in 1900, the fees paid amounted to $65,322.91, taxes due the state $72.203.97, fire marshal tax $31,881.14; total received by the department $169.408.02. The total expenses of the department were $17,632.25, not including printing, binding, stationery and supplies procured through the Supervisor of Public Printing and the Secretary of State, and not including disbursements in the Building and Loan Investment departments. NonOhio insurance companies paid taxes due in counties in 1900, aggregating $464,383.82.

The Superintendent of Insurance.

The following persons have served as Superintendents of Insurance, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, at and during the times indicated:

The following are the present employes of the department:

THE BUREAU OF BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.

For information, respecting the Building and Loan and Bond Investment Bureau, see under that head, page 408.