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James Webb Curtis
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] BiographyJames 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] CareerFor 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 legacyHe 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
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