The GEORGE CURRIE STORY
George Currie
George Currie was born August 21st 1821, the six child of John and Hannah (Lockley) Currie, of Scotland . In 1844 as a young man of 23 years old, he moved to Prince Albert from Oshawa to open a grain buying business. At the same time, he and his brother Mark opened a general merchandising business consisting of dry goods, liquors, wines and children’s wear in the same village.
Mr Currie was married to Sarah Ann (Cronk) on Dec 3, 1845, and then raised a family of six children; John, Catherine, Luther, Sarah, Hannah and George Junior. All the children were born in Prince Albert, Ontario, between 1846 and 1862.
Throughout the 1850s, the Curries became one of the principal grain purchasing businesses in the area, and it was during this time that George tried out his hand at politics.
In 1857 he was elected Reeve of Reach Township. He later held the position of treasurer of the Township for a number years, before moving to Port Perry.
Then, in 1873. The Port Perry Grain Elevator Building Construction Began...
During the summer of 1873, he began construction of his most notable building, the large grain elevator located near the railway station at Port Perry’s lakefront.
Mr Currie tried his hand at provincial politics in July 1876, running as a candidate for North Ontario County, but losing his bid to WH Gibbs of Whitby.
And finally, in 1876
George Currie sold his interests in Curries Grain Elevator to his partner Aaron Ross in 1876. and retired from the business.
Sometime later, George and Sarah Currie moved to Montana with their youngest son George Junior. Where they purchased and lived on a ranch until the death of Mrs Currie on May 9, 1891. Mr. Currie returned to Toronto at some point to spend the remainder of his life at the home of his daughter and son- in- law. George Currie died on November 4th, 1902 at age 81 in York, Ontario.