James Curtiss

Political career in Chicago Curtiss arrived in Chicago from Eastport, Maine, in 1835 and became editor of the Chicago Democrat. Almost immediately after his arrival in Chicago Curtiss began a career of public service.

Shortly after his arrival in Chicago, he was appointed States Attorney for the district north of the Kankakee River. He succeeded Ebenezer Peck as Town Clerk in September 1836. In 1846, he was elected as alderman again, this time for the 3rd ward.

He lost his bid for reelection in 1848, being defeated by James Hutchinson Woodworth (an independent Democrat who ran on a fusion ticket supported by Whigs and Democrats). His tenure ended on March 14, 1848, when Woodworth succeeded him in office.

During Curtiss' tenure Chicago's first telegraph line opened on January 11, 1848, and the Chicago Board of Trade was established.

Second mayoral term Curtiss returned to the mayor's office after winning the 1850 Chicago mayoral election, defeating Levi Day Boone and Lewis C. Kerchival (both of these challengers being Democrats without formal party nomination). He was sworn in on March 12, 1850.

Curtiss was again defeated in his bid for reelection, losing the 1851 election to Walter S. Gurnee. His tenure ended on March 11, 1851, when he was succeed in office by Gurnee.

In 1852, he sought to unseat Gurnee, but again lost.

Retirement from politics Retiring from politics, Curtiss moved to West Urbana (now Champaign) Illinois in 1855, and took up farming.

Death Curtiss died on November 2, 1859, in Joliet, Illinois, after a long illness. His funeral was held at the Second Presbyterian Church on Wabash Avenue following the Odd Fellows rites.