Curran, Charles J. (Charles John), Sir, 1921-

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.

From the guide to the Charles J. Curran Papers, 1941-2006, 1990-2006, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)