William Jobe "Bill" Curtis, born in Robertson County, Kentucky, on November 22, 1868, developed a fascination with the Battle of Blue Licks grounds while attending its Centennial Celebration in 1882 and, at age 14, began pursuing their history and preservation. He represented Robertson and Nicholas counties in the state Legislature for three terms between 1926 and 1934, and through his efforts 32 acres were purchased and presented to the state of Kentucky in 1928. Joined by several other prominent figures, he also helped secure funding for the erection of the monument and later the Pioneer Museum in 1930. He devoted all his time and work to the project until June 1932, when he was officially appointed superintendent of the park, serving until his retirement in 1945. After his death in 1950, he was buried next to the Pioneer Museum by a special act of the 1950 Legislature. He tirelessly curated and displayed many of the items still exhibited in the Pioneer Museum, and his collection of Native American relics, antique firearms, and prehistoric fossils and artifacts was loaned to a number of college museums throughout the state. He was also featured prominently in Ancient Life in Kentucky by Funkhouser and Webb (1928) before his collection was purchased and placed on permanent display at Blue Licks. For these reasons, he is regarded as the father of Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.