James A. Curless
One of Grant County's citizens who has done his share of public service, particularly in educational lines, James A. Curless is now best known as cashier of the First National Bank of Swayzee, and one of the leading business men of that city. The First National Bank of Swayzee is a very strong institution, having a capital stock of thirty-five thousand dollars with surplus and undivided profits of ten thousand dollars. Mr. Curless has been with this institution from its beginning. It was organized in August, 1907, and he stood behind the wicket and accepted the first moneys paid on deposits. The other officers of this well known bank are: Darius Nesbitt, president; George W. Smith, and W. J. Nesbitt, vice-presidents; James A. Curless, cashier; Isaac Spiker, assistant cashier. Tessie C. Plackard, assistant cashier; The directors are Darius Nesbitt, George W. Smith, W. J. Nesbitt, Marion Curless, J. M. Leer, John H. Miller, John A. Peterson, H. T. Munea and Jarret Echelbarger.
James A. Curless was born in Green Township, of Grant County, September 20, 1875, and belongs to one of the old and substantial families of this section of Indiana. His parents were Marion and Mary A. (Covalt) Curless, both of whom are now residents of Swayzee. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living.
James A. Curless spent his boyhood on a farm in Howard County, during which time he attended the district schools of his township, and also had one term in the Greentown High School, and one year in the Fairmount Academy, completing his education by two years course in the Valparaiso University, and the Terre Haute Normal School. He prepared himself thoroughly for his work as teacher, and taught his first term of school in 1895. He was very successful as a schoolmaster and continued the work consecutively until 1907, in the public schools of Howard and Grant Counties. In August of the latter year he gave up teaching to become one of the bankers of the county.
Mr. Curless was married on Christmas Day of 1897, to Miss Anna M. Matchett, who was born and reared in Grant County, was educated in the common schools, in the Marion Normal College and in the State Normal School at Terre Haute and taught in the public schools for six years. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Curless are both now deceased. The family are members of the Methodist Church, and fraternally he is affiliated with Grant Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the lodge and encampment of Odd Fellowship, the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and the Daughters of Rebekah. He is past noble grand in his fraternity. A Republican in politics, he is now serving as a member of the Swayzee Town Council. Besides his other interests Mr. Curless owns sixty-six acres of land situated a mile southwest of Swayzee on the Kokomo and Gas City Pike. Though no longer a teacher Mr. Curless maintains the same interests in educational affairs which he had when in the work of the school room. At the present time, in order to promote scholarship and the wholesome rivalry among the scholars, he has a standing offer of an International Webster's Dictionary to the student making the best grade in the Sims and Green Townships Schools. His wife takes an equal interest with him in educational affairs, and both are energetic and progressive members of the social community in which they live.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914