J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour) Currey

Born in 1844 and identified in major library records as J. Seymour Currey, or Josiah Seymour Currey, he is remembered chiefly for large-scale local histories, especially Chicago: Its History and Its Builders, published in 1912. Those volumes trace the city’s growth and, in later volumes, include many biographical sketches of Chicagoans.

Available historical records also show that he served in Illinois volunteer regiments during the Civil War. Later accounts place him in Chicago after the war, where he was involved in business and historical writing before producing the work for which he is now best known.

Currey also wrote The Story of Old Fort Dearborn, reflecting his lasting interest in early Chicago history. He died in 1928, leaving behind books that are still used by readers and researchers exploring the city’s past.