Curtis, Charles (1860-1936), served as 31st vice president of the United States, under President Herbert Hoover, from 1929 to 1933. He had served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1893 to 1907, and in the U.S. Senate from 1907 to 1913 and 1915 to 1929. Curtis was an experienced parliamentarian as a member of the Senate Rules Committee. He became majority leader of the Senate during the administration of President Calvin Coolidge. Curtis became known for his ability to have the Senate complete its work without extra sessions.
Curtis, whose mother was part Kaw (Kansa) Indian, was born in North Topeka (now Topeka), Kansas, on Jan. 25, 1860. As a youth, he worked as a jockey. But his interest turned to law, and he was admitted to the bar in 1881. He practiced law successfully, and became the attorney for Shawnee County. He died on Feb. 8, 1936.
See also Vice president of the United States.
