It may be doubted if any resident of the Pomona Valley is more widely known throughout California than the subject of this article. Certainly none has wielded a more potent influence in affairs that make for the upbuilding of a community and the development of its resources. For this reason, therefore, especial interest attaches to the record of his life, which is the story of a man who came to California poor in purse, but rich in expectation and in hope; a man of invincible determination and tireless energy, fitted by inherited endowments and early training for large responsibilities in the business world and in public affairs.
The management of his varied interests makes Mr. Currier a very busy man. The most important object of his care is his large alfalfa, grain, stock and fruit ranch, comprising 2500 acres, situated five miles west of Pomona, just off the Southern Pacific stations of Spadra and Walnut. Here a considerable portion of Mr. Currier's time is spent. His energy is such that he is constantly at work, directing, superintending and managing every department of the farm work; this, too, although there is no longer the necessity of hard work there was in earlier years. His ranch is watered by artesian wells, thus solving for him the sometimes vexing water problem. In every respect it shows the painstaking care of the owner and his intelligent supervision.
In Franklin County, Maine, Mr. Currier was born, April 30, 1840, a son of Alvan and Nancy (Clough) Currier, natives of Maine. His paternal ancestors are said to have been French, and his maternal ancestors were of English and Scotch extraction. His father, who was a son of Samuel Currier, of Cobb's Hill, Maine, served as a State Senator in Maine and held other official positions. The subject of this article was reared in Maine and received his education principally at the Farmington Academy. For a short time he taught school. On reaching his majority he started out in the world for himself, and in the winter of 1861-62 he saw California for the first time. However, he did not remain here, but went to Idaho and mined for gold and silver.
In the fall of 1867 he left Idaho and returned to California. Soon, however, he went back to Maine to visit his relatives and friends, and in the spring of 1868 he came via the Isthmus of Panama from New York to San Francisco. Altogether he has crossed the Isthmus three times. In the spring of 1869 he came to Los Angeles County and purchased the ranch where he still makes his home. most creditable institutions in the state, organized September 19, 1899. This company has never levied an assessment and charges about one-half of the old line companies' rates, has over $11,000,000 insurance in force and $45,000 on hand. This is one of the mutual institutions of the state that has attracted wide attention for its method of doing business and reflects great credit on Mr. Currier's forethought and good judgment.
On March 20, 1881, Senator Currier married Mrs. Susan (Glenn) Rubottom, of Spadra, and she is an active member of the Baptist Church of Pomona and a liberal contributor to all religious and philanthropic enterprises. She shares with her husband the esteem and sincere regard of a wide circle of friends in Los Angeles County.
In Los Angeles Senator Currier is best known as the owner of the Currier Block, a large office building at 212 West Second Street. This structure is fitted with all the conveniences of a modern public building, and to the management of this building and property the Senator gives some of his attention.
Mr. Currier has been a liberal contributor to the University of Redlands, and is a director of the institution. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for many years and a trustee ever since the church was moved to Pomona, and has been a generous contributor to the church funds for the modern building and other purposes. He also showed his interest in young men by donating one-half the value of the lot, some $15,000, on which the new Young Men's Christian Association building will stand in Pomona, and in every way he has showed his generous nature towards all worthy enterprises for the upbuilding of the Valley and County, and in his retrospect of a life well spent he can retire with the knowledge that he has done his full share in making this section a better place in which to live.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 8/19/08, Pages 211-213
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