James Webb Curtis, M.D. (July 29, 1856 – April 12, 1921), also known as J. Webb Curtis, was an American physician, surgeon, civil servant, educator, and postmaster. He served as a volunteer medical officer for the U.S. Army during the Spanish–American War, stationed in Cuba and in the Philippines.[1][2] He was, "the only 'colored' surgeon in the service" during that conflict.[3]
James Webb Curtis | |
|---|---|
 James Webb Curtis in 1900 | |
| Born | July 29, 1856 Marion, Alabama, United States |
| Died | April 12, 1921 (aged 64) Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States |
| Other names | J. Webb Curtis |
| Education | Alabama State Normal School, Howard University College of Medicine |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, surgeon, civil servant, educator, postmaster |
| Title |  First lieutenant |
| Spouse | Alice May Peyton (m. 1881–1921; his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Alexander H. Curtis |
Biography
editJames Webb Curtis was born on July 29, 1856, in Marion, Alabama,[1][3] into an African American family. His mother was Princess Curtis, and his father was Alexander H. Curtis who was enslaved before becoming a merchant, and served six years in the Alabama Senate during the Reconstruction era.[4] His brother William P. Curtis was also a prominent physician.[1][5] Curtis served as postmaster in Marion, Alabama (prior to 1921).[3][2]
Curtis attended Lincoln Normal School, and the Alabama State Normal School (now Alabama State University).[3] This was followed by later study at the Howard University College of Medicine, where he graduated in 1888.[1][6]
In May 1881, Curtis married Alice May Peyton from Richmond, Virginia.[3] Together they had two daughters.[7]
Career
editFor 6 years he taught school in Alabama, and held a professorship at his alma mater Alabama State Normal School in 1879.[3]
In 1882, Curtis was appointed to a clerkship in the Bureau of Pensions in Washington. D.C..[3] While living in D.C., he started taking an interest in studying medicine. Curtis attended Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM), graduating in 1888.[1] After graduating from HUCM, he served as a special agent in the pension office in Illinois and Nebraska from 1889 to 1891.[3]
In October 1891, Curtis moved to Illinois, and established a medical practice in Chicago, located at 5003 Dearborn Street.[3] He also worked as medical staff at Provident Hospital, Chicago.[3]
In June 1898, Curtis enrolled in the 8th Regiment Illinois Infantry during the Spanish–American War, and he was appointed as first lieutenant (assistant surgeon).[3] He was stationed at Palma Soriana, Cuba from August 22, 1898, to February 13, 1899, where he worked as a medical officer for a detachment (companies E and F).[3] Curtis was hospitalized for malaria with dysentery in February, and left for Chicago by April.[3]
In September 1899, Curtis applied for a new contract, and served in the African American 48th Volunteer Infantry in the Philippines.[3] He was first on duty at Caloocan, with the 3rd Battalion; followed by duty at La Loma Church with the 1st Battalion; and then duty at Alilem, Quimpusa, and Tagudin.[3] He returned to the United States, via San Francisco, on June 30, 1901.[3] His obituaries reads that he returned to the Philippines, staying for three years before returning to practice medicine in Chicago.[7]
Death and legacy
editHe died after a brief illness of apoplexy on April 12, 1921, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.[3][7][8]
Booker T. Washington profiled him in the book, A New Negro for a New Century (1900).[4] He is mentioned in the A'Lelia Bundles' book, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020, Simon & Schuster), recounting a time when Madam C. J. Walker stayed with Curtis family over a Christmas holiday.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "James Webb Curtis". A Historical, Biographical and Statistical Souvenir. Howard University Medical Department. 1900. p. 161 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Negro Year Book and Annual Encyclopedia of the Negro. Monroe N. Work. November 18, 1922. p. 375 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Hyson Jr., John M. (June 1999). "Doctors Five: African-American Contract Surgeons in the Spanish-American War. James Webb Curtis: A Chicago Doctor". Military Medicine. 164 (6): 435–441. doi:10.1093/milmed/164.6.435.
- ^ a b Bugros Mclean, Polly E. (28 September 2018). Remembering Lucile: A Virginia Family's Rise from Slavery and a Legacy Forged a Mile High. University Press of Colorado. ISBN 9781607328254.
- ^ English, Bertis D. (2020). Civil Wars, Civil Beings, and Civil Rights in Alabama's Black Belt: A History of Perry County. University of Alabama Press. ISBN 9780817320690.
- ^ "Curtis, JW graduation 1888". The Marion Times-Standard. 1888-03-14. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-04-23 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Death of Dr. J. Webb Curtis At Hot Springs, Ark. Who At One Time Resided in Chicago". The Broad Ax. 1921-04-23. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-04-23 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dr. J. Webb Curtis Dead". The Kansas City Sun. 1921-04-23. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-04-23 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bundles, A'Lelia (24 March 2020). Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Simon and Schuster. p. 198. ISBN 9781982126674 – via Google Books.