American Biographical Library The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans Volume 3, page 80
Curtis, William Stanton, educator, was born in Burlington, Vt., Aug. 3, 1820; son of Lewis and Abigail (Camp) Curtis; grandson of Gabriel and Susanah (North) Curtis; and a descendant of Thomas Curtis (b. 1598, d. 1681), of Wethersfield, Conn. His father removed to Missouri in 1820 and subsequently to Wisconsin Territory. He was graduated at Illinois college in 1838, studied theology in New Haven, Conn., 1838-41; was stated supply in the First Congregational church, Rockford, Ill., 1841; pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Ann Arbor, Mich., 1842-55; acting professor of moral and intellectual philosophy in the University of Michigan, 1851-52; professor of moral philosophy and college pastor at Hamilton college, 1855-63; and president of Knox college, Galesburg, Ill., 1863-68. He resigned in 1868 and was pastor of Westminster Presbyterian church, Rockford, Ill., 1869-75; travelled in Europe, Palestine and Egypt, 1876-77, and on his return supplied vacant churches in the vicinity of his home. He was for many years director of the McCormick theological seminary. He received the degree of D.D. from Madison university, N.Y., in 1857. He died in Rockford, Ill., June 30, 1885.
