Curry P. DENISON, proprietor of the Denison House, Decaturville, Tenn., is a native of Decatur County, born November 11, 1839, a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (INGRAM) DENISON, both natives of Pittsylvania County, Va., and descendants of the early English settlers of the Atlantic coast. Of their family of fourteen children all are living but three: Robert, born September 18, 1814, is a farmer of Henderson County; Alfred, born in 1817, died in 1821; Bird, born July 30, 1818, is also a farmer of Henderson County; Eliza, born August 12, 1820, is now Mrs. Jno. McCALL, of Chester County; Mrs. Anna (DENISON) NEWTON, born December 12, 1822, lives in Denton County, Tex.; Sanford, born December 14, 1824, home in Red River County, Tex.; Wm. H., born January 24, 1826, lives in Red River County, Tex.; Jackson, born June 10, 1829, died July 28, 1859; Benjamin, born May 18, 1821, lives in Red River County, Tex.; Nancy J., born May 28 1833, is married to Andrew McCALL, of Henderson County; Mrs. Minerva (DENISON) PRIDDY, of Henderson County, was born September 22, 1835; David G., born September 1, 1837, died in 1863;Curry P., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (DENISON) BREWER, of Henderson County, born May 15, 1844. Stephen DENISON took an active part in many of the sieges and battles of the war of 1812. He was a life-long Whig and worthy citizen, leaving to his posterity an honored name; his death occurred in August, 1865, his wife having died in September, 1860. The grandfather was one of the gallant Virginians who served under Gen. Geo. WASHINGTON.
Curry P. DENISON was raised on a farm; accustomed to labor from boyhood, his educational advantages were limited; being a man of no ordinary ability he has by observation and application become well informed, For a number of years he was a merchant of Henderson County, afterward a farmer; but for the past six years has been proprietor of the Denison House. Politically he is a Republican; was an unswerving supporter of the Union during the late war, which, of course, cost him many dangers and hardships, but escaped uninjured. He is one of the strongest advocates of public schools, is a man well known throughout the country and recognized as one of the best citizens.
November 4, 1860, he was married to Miss Nancy J. BRAY, born November 2, 1843, a daughter of John and Manerva (WALKER) BRAY, of Henderson County. This union resulted in the following births: Fredonia A., born March 14, 1883, married February 28, 1879, to J. T. Rogers, merchant of Decaturville; Kittie A., born October 17, 1864, married Dr. John McMILLAN, of Decaturville; Wm. H., born April 13, 1866, resides at Perryville, Tenn.; Mary A., born January 23, 1868, married, January 14, 1883, to Wm. BARRY, editor of Progress, Lexington, Tenn.; Granville L., born February 18, 1870; Harriet Rosetta, born February 8, 1873; Bertha L., born February 13, 1880, and Allia J., born March 13, 1884. John BRAY, father of Mrs. DENISON, was born February 10, 1828, and. married Manerva WALKER November 24, 1842. She was born March 20, 1827. — Transcribed by David Donahue
History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Henderson, Chester, Mcnairy, Decatur, and Hardin Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C: Southern Historical Press, 1978.