Charles J. Curran Papers
Scope and Content
The Charles J. Curran Papers document the career of an important Montgomery County politician. Through these papers, researchers may gain insight into politics in late 20th century to early 21st century in Dayton, Ohio.
Series I: Correspondence
This series includes general correspondence from constituents, local and national political leaders, as well as personal cards and letters. Also included are various copies of letters that Curran wrote to local and national political leaders, constituents, and personal letters. Also included is a sampling of letters of recommendation written by Curran for various individuals.
Series II: Speeches
This series includes speeches from various events throughout Curran's career. Also included is supporting research materials.
Series III: Campaign / Election Information
This series includes correspondence, news clippings, election results, political questionnaires, and campaign finance information related to Curran's campaigns for Montgomery County Commissioner in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006. Information for other local elections in which Curran was interested or involved are also included.
Series IV: Photographs
This series includes photographs of Curran at various events and portraits. Also included are pictures from various news clippings and digital photographs printed on computer paper.
Series V: Certificates / Awards / Events
This series includes certificates and information about awards that Curran received throughout his career. Information about special events in which Curran participated are also included. His certificate of appointment to the office of State Senator from District 6 of Ohio from 1979-1983 is included.
Series VI: Advertisements / Sponsorships
This series contains original or copies of advertisements that Curran placed in various local publications. Also included is information about events or organizations which Curran sponsored.
Series VII: Research
This series contains copies of articles or materials which Curran collected for occupational or personal research. Topics such as abortion and sexuality are included, as well as an historical sketch of Montgomery County, OH.
Series VIII: Personal
This series contains copies of certificates of birth of Curran's wife, Mara, and their son, Charles James. A copy of Curran's marriage certificate is also included. Writings from his wife and daughter, Rachelle are included, along with his business card, a caricature, and Curran's pancake recipe. A separate folder includes news clippings either written by or about Curran.
Dates
- Creation: 1941-2006
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1990-2006
Creator
- Curran, Charles J. (Person)
Restrictions on Access
There are no restrictions on accessing materials in this collection.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Biography of Charles J. Curran
Charles J. Curran was born on June 1, 1939 in Galion, OH. His father was a railroad worker, so the family moved around quite a bit. He graduated from Bellefontaine High School in Bellefontaine, Ohio in 1958. After high school, Curran ended up in Charleston, Illinois where he earned a bachelor's degree in government and library science from Eastern Illinois University in 1963. He also completed some graduate work at Miami University and the University of Dayton.
Curran came to Dayton, Ohio in 1963 to handle government documents for the Dayton Public Library. He then worked as a Social Sciences teacher at Fairborn High School (OH) from 1963 to 1965, and as a Reference Librarian at Belmont High School (OH) from 1965-1966. In 1966, Curran was hired as a Political Science instructor at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
On June 15, 1963, Curran married Mara Ann Wahl (born October 19, 1941). They had three children: Colleen (born April 9, 1964), Rachelle (born October 9, 1966), and James Charles (born September 5, 1985).
Curran served as a Democrat on the city commission of Dayton from 1970 to 1979. He then served as the Democratic Ohio State Senator for the 6th district from 1979 to 1983. In 1983, Charles began his first of 6 four-year terms as Montgomery County Commissioner (served 1983-2006). In 1996, Charles switched to the Republican Party. In November 2006, he was defeated by Democratic candidate, Dan Foley.
As of March 2007, Curran continues to serve as Associate Professor of Political Science at Sinclair Community College.
Extent
3.5 linear feet (8 Hollinger boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection includes correspondence, speeches, campaign information, photographs, certificates, advertisements, news clippings, and research documents. Most items are by or about Charles J. Curran and his time as Montgomery County Commissioner from 1983-2006. A few items in the collection relate to other local politicians or Curran family members. The collection documents Dayton and Montgomery County politics, including Charles Curran's switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in 1996.
Statement of Arrangement
The Charles J. Curran Papers are organized into 8 series:
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Speeches
- Series III: Campaign / Election information
- Series IV: Photographs
- Series V: Certificates / Awards / Events
- Series VI: Advertisements / Sponsorships
- Series VII: Research
- Series VIII: Personal
Acquisition Information
Charles J. Curran donated his papers to Wright State University Department of Archives and Special Collections in December 2006.
Subject
- Montgomery County (Ohio). Board of Commissioners (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
- Title
- Guide to the Charles J. Curran Papers (MS-346)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Tracey A. Stivers, March 2007.
- Date
- 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092
library-archives@wright.edu
