E. Z. CURNUTT. On the roster of public officials in Greene county appears the name of E. Z. Curnutt, who is now serving as circuit clerk. He was born in the town of Wrightsville, on the 17th of February, 1874, and is a son of James H. and Angelina (Waltrip) Curnutt, both of whom were also natives of Wrightsville. In the district schools the son began his education at the usual age and was advanced through successive grades until he became a high school student in Greenfield. Later he attended the high school in Carrollton, and was graduated with the class of 1893. On putting aside his text books he entered his father's store in Carrollton, where he remained until 1900. He had, however, been engaged in teaching from 1893 until 1896, having charge of the Rubicon school in the eastern part of Greene county. In 1900 he received the nomination of the Democratic party for the office of circuit clerk and that he was the choice of the public is shown by the fact that he received a good majority at the fall election. His capable service received public endorsement by a second nomination for the office and election in 1904, when he received the largest majority of any candidate on the ticket.

On the 15th of January, 1903, Mr. Curnutt was married to Miss Jessie Achenbach, a native of Greene county and a daughter of Fred Achenbach. She is a graduate of the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville. Mr. and Mrs. Curnutt are prominent socially, occupying an enviable position in the regard of many friends in Carrollton. Fraternally Mr. Curnutt is a Master Mason, becoming a member of Carrollton lodge No. 50, A.F. & A.M., in 1898, and he also holds membership relations with Carrollton camp, No. 476, Modern Woodmen of America, Worcester lodge, Knights of Pythias of Roodhouse, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Alton, and Conlee lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen of Carrollton. He is a young man whose business and political record is creditable and he has the trust and confidence of his fellow men, because of the fidelity which he has ever manifested in his official life.