Curtiss Roots

Death of an Old Pioneer

2012-01-23T20:07:00.000-08:00

Erie Saturday Evening Gazette - 17 March 1888

Alfred Curtis, who died at his home in Branchville last week at the advanced age of 89 years, was one of the oldest pioneers of Northwestern Pennsylvania. He was born in Stratford, Conn., in May, 1799. When a mere lad, he moved to Whitehall, N.Y. In 1818 he was married to Charlotte Hatch, a sister of the Crawford and Erie County of that name. She was one of those noble women of olden time who was not afraid to brave the perils and privations of frontier life, and proved indeed a helpmate to her husband. In 1822 Mr. Curtis and his family moved from Whitehall and located on the farm now owned and occupied by his son A.N. Curtis. He was a radical abolitionist and for many years he conducted a train and kept a station on the Underground Railroad. While tolerant towards others Mr. Curtis was fearless in his advocacy of the cause of the oppressed. No worthy person ever appealed to his sympathies in vain. In after years he delighted to talk about the trilling scene, incident s and adventures of those perilous times in which he was an important actor. He was an eloquent stump speaker, and on a certain occasion an anti-slavery meeting was announced in a neighborhood where party spirits ran very high. There had been a logging bee in the neighborhood and in the evening many of the half drunken men came to the meeting bent on breaking up the assembly and having a little fun at the expense of the speaker. Mr. Curtis, who was personally unknown to the audience, took his position on the platform and opened the meeting with prayer. Such a proceeding at a political gathering was unheard of and had a strangely subduing effect on the turbulent settlers, who listened to his thrilling speech with breathless interest. Although he never dreamed that slavery would be abolished in his lifetime, Mr. Curtis lived to see the “sum of all villainies” swept away, and a generation rise and nearly pass from stage of action before he was summoned from “labor to reward”. He was an earnest and effective worker in the temperance field, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church for many years. He was an exemplary Christian, a loyal citizen, a kind neighbor, a true friend, a loving husband and an indulgent father. He died as he lived, in the belief of a resurrection and a future life beyond the grave.

“Uncle Frank”

Frank Henry, an abolitionist and local historian who lived in Wesleyville, PA.

1913 Easter Tornado in Omaha

2010-03-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

THE GREAT 1913 OMAHA TORNADO

While a hundred church bells were announcing the closing service of the "feast of feasts," and a hundred thousand Omahans were preparing for the evening celebration of the resurrection, there rushed upon the city one of the most terrible combinations of the destroying elements. A tornado, the most furious and destructive ever recorded in America, tore its way through the heart of the residence portion of Omaha---a city of 140,000 souls.

Out of a mildly overcast sky a black cloud dropped, and a great bank of yellowish clouds formed a sinister background. With a grinding roar the death-dealing cloud made its way across the city, traveling faster than a mile a minute, and leaving in its wake a murky blackness, lighted now and again with lurid lightning that revealed a path of wreckage seven miles long and a quarter of a mile wide.

In an instant confusion reigned throughout a large section of the city. It would be hard to imagine a more complete paralysis of the city's normal functions. In the stricken district was chaos and suffering and consternation. In the down-town business district it was at least an hour before the man in the street and the lounger in the hotel lobby realized that a calamity had come upon the city. Street cars stopped, the lighting s stem partially failed and telephones went out of commission.

Then the skyline was seen to be aglow to the north and west, and the shriek of the siren clang of the fire gong, and the swift whir of the motor ambulance impressed upon the business section the fact that something more than the ordinary fire had broken out.

Inhabitants of the devastated area were stunned by the force of the blow. Each one thought that his particular neighborhood was the most seriously hurt and no one knew that a tornado had traversed the city from side to side until nearly midnight.

THE PATH OF THE STORM

From the corner of Forty-sixth and Poppleton to Cutoff lake the path of the tornado was almost a direct line, though there were some places where it was wider than others. The centers of greatest damage were Bemis park, Sacred Heart academy, and Twenty-fourth and Lake streets. The railway trestle over the lake was partly carried away, and the storm continued its work in Council Bluffs.

In the West Farnam and Bemis park districts the property damage was great because of the fine residences which stood in the path of the tornado. Some of the finest residences in Omaha were either partially or wholly demolished.

Tragedies were not lacking in the homes of the rich although the death list was not large, due to the fact that the houses were farther apart than in the poorer district, where wreckage was piled in great heaps in the streets. G. L. Hammer of the Byrne-Hammer Dry Goods Company, was so badly injured that his leg had to be amputated. Mrs. Hammer was badly injured, and the magnificent Hammer residence was piled into a heap of tangled debris.

The George Joslyn castle one of the sights of Omaha, was damaged, and the Joslyn gardens and conservatories, in which many thousands of dollars were invested, were ruined beyond repair.

The J. E. Trainor home was ruined. The solid granite, brick, and steel residence of R. B. Busch, vice president of the Crane company, was turned into a wreck.

When Judge Slabaugh's residence was scattered over several blocks, his young daughter, Miss Grace Slabaugh, suffered injury to her right wrist that may cut short one of the most promising of musical careers.

RELEIF STARTS AT ONCE

Within two hours after the twister had torn a path through the city every agency available was being rushed through the darkness to the relief of the victims. About the first organized aid to reach the scene consisted of 200 soldiers of the regular army stationed at Fort Omaha.

When Major Carl F. Hartmann saw the tornado passing over the city he knew there would be work for his men to do. He did not wait for the unwinding of military red tape nor for interchange of messages, nor the formal establishment of martial law. He ordered his men to the storm area on double-quick, and on the run they made the mile and a half between the fort and the dark, twisted ruins about Twenty-fourth and Lake streets. When they got there the work was at hand.

Flames were breaking out among the ruins up and down the belt of horror, and victims were pleading for someone to help them before the fire should reach them.

The entire fire and police departments of Omaha were rushed to the scene, and the men scattered over wide areas of desolation. Council Bluffs was called upon, and the firemen of that city arrived while nearly a score of fires were burning.

For half an hour it seemed as though the entire storm-swept area would be devoured by flames, which were fast spreading from wreck to wreck. In the region of modest residences along Franklin and Decatur streets the flames spread rapidly, and the homeless victims who had escaped from the ruins retreated toward the city.

To one approaching the burning rows of houses from the south the spectacle was one to terrify. Hundreds of men and women, leading or carrying children, were hastening along, they knew not where. Many were dazed by the calamity that had befallen them. Some of the women were hysterical. Scores of the victims were bleeding from numerous wounds received when their homes were destroyed.

Ruth Lucille Curtiss Final Resting Place

2010-03-15T23:14:00.001-07:00

I took these photos on a beautiful March day in 2010. Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cypress is in Long Beach, California. It took a while to find my Great Aunt Ruth's grave as the numbering system is hard to make sense out of and some of the markers were worn off, but I finally found it. She is buried in Section: Dawn, Lot: 4116, Space: 3.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cypress

4471 Lincoln Avenue

Cypress, CA 90630

Here is the Obituary:

Long Beach Independent - April 24, 1962 - DEATH NOTICE

BYLIN - (San Pedro) - Ruth L. of 3007 S. Denison Ave. died Tuesday. Surviving are husband, Carl O.; daughters, Mrs. Mary J. Kelley, Mrs. Anna L. Lyons; sons, Curtiss, Billy, Alfred Vaughn; brother P. W. Curtiss; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Service Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Cypress.

Edward H. Curtiss at Big Bear Boys Camp

2009-10-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

Edward H. Curtiss was fortunate to be able to go to the Big Bear Boys Camp in Big Bear Lake, California when he was a boy. His Sister Ethelyne N. (Curtiss) Drake was married to Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake who was associated with the Big Bear Boys Camp (BBBC) in the San Bernardino Mountains for many years. At that time the city of Big Bear Lake was called Pine Knot.
Every summer from the age of 8 years until he graduated from University High School in Los Angeles, Edward would go along with Ducky to attend the camp for the summer. When he was old enough he participated as a counsellor. Most of the other boys were from the wealthy families in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Photo: Edward Curtiss (R) & Harold Witherbee 1939

The following brochure is from the 1930's.

Here is the Brochure for Big Bear Boys Camp

The camp is still there but it is owned by the Presbyterian Church and called Camp TANDA on Lake View Drive.

RUTH LUCILLE CURTISS - VAUGHN - BYLIN

2009-10-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

The Independent (Long Beach, California)

DEATH NOTICE

BYLIN (San Pedro) - Ruth L., of 3007 S. Denison Ave., died Tuesday. Surviving are husband Carl O. (Bylin); daughters, Mrs. Mary J. (Vaughn) Kelley, Mrs. Anna L. (Vaughn) Lyons; sons, Curtiss, Billy, Alfred Vaughn; brother, P. W. Curtiss; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Service Saturday, 2:30 pm, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Cypress.

Ruth Lucille Curtiss was born October 18 1894 in St. Joseph, MO. Daughter of Alfred Leroy Curtiss and Mary Ella (Darby) Curtiss.

She married William Andrew Vaughn on April 11 1914.

Children:

Curtiss Vaughn b. 22 Nov 1914

Mary J. Vaughn b. 17 Aug 1916, d. 17 May 2005

Anne Lucille Vaugn b. 18 Nov 1917, d. 17 Jan 1983

Billy B. Vaughn b. 1927

Alfred L. Vaughn b. Mar 1930

She was also married to Carl O. Bylin.

ALFRED L. CURTISS SIBLINGS 1880 CENSUS

2009-09-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

After the death of their Mother and Father - 1872/1875 respectively - the siblings of Alfred Leroy Curtiss apparently moved in with their married older sister EFFIE L. (Curtiss) GORMAN. Effie had married Peter Calhoun Gorman June 6, 1876. While searching for Effie L. (Curtiss)Gorman, I came across the 1880 Census and discovered the younger children of Alfred H. & Sarah Ellen Curtiss living in the home of Peter C. Gorman and their sister Effie.
The only siblings not living in this home where Alfred L. who'd been married to Mary Ella (Darby) since about 1875. In the 1880 Census they lived in St. Joseph, MO.
The other sibling not living in the P.C. Gorman household was Clifford Curtiss and I don't know what happened to him.
Listed in the 1880 Census - 6th Election Dist., Howard County, Maryland (pgs 39/40)
P.C. Gorman (27), Effie Gorman (24), Ensie Curtis (23), Elizabeth Curtis (18), Nellie Curtis (14), Clifford Curtis (12).

CENSUS DETECTIVE

2009-08-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's not easy to determine if the name you are searching is your ancestor. You have to look at all the surrounding facts to make decision. I started to see a pattern about a year ago.

All the family trees I have found for my Curtiss line say that Alfred Hatch Curtiss is my G-G-Grandfather. I followed A. H. Curtiss starting in the 1850 Census. He had a son named Leroy. I had a suspicion that Leroy was a Junior, so I followed his as though he was Alfred Leroy. His siblings names and birth dates continued through the 1870.

Another clue was the other Curtisses on the same Census page. I also noticed the A. H. Curtiss seemed to have another Curtiss always on the Census with him. H. H. Curtiss married to a Verilla /Vanilla / etc. (you can't trust the census for spelling)

Another clue came with the 1880 Census. I knew from living relatives that our Curtiss family migrated from St. Joseph, Missouri to California. In searching the Buchanan Co. Census I found an A.L. Curtiss married to M.E. living with C. Darby. I know this was my A.L. Curtiss because his wife's maiden name was Darby. In following this Curtiss family 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census records I confirmed my relatives by the names I knew as my Grandparents and Aunts.

The final clue came when I found a notation in my very own Baby Book. My Grandmother had supplied the names of my Great Grandparents to my mother for the Curtiss side. There it was - "Leroy". My GGrandfather was called Leroy just as I had suspected. Because of this entry I now knew that my GGGrandfather was Alfred H. Curtiss.

This chart shows the continuous flow of Census records with some notations.

ARTHUR D. CURTISS SERVICE RECORD 1901-1904

2009-07-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Arthur D. Curtiss joined the U.S. Army in 1901 just at the U.S. Artillery was being reorganized. He join up and was mustered into the new Coast Artillery. He was assigned to the 106th Company at Camp Skagway, Alaska as part of the Medical attachmant.

106th Company (32nd Company)
1901 – Fort Lawton, WA
1902 – Camp Skagway, AK
1902 – Fort Flagler, WA
1908 – Fort Worden, WA
1914 – Mine company
1916 – 4th Company, Fort Worden, WA
1917 – 4th Company, CD Puget Sound
1922 – 106th Company, CAC
1924 – HQ/14th CA Regiment (HD), Fort Worden, WA

U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps 1901-1950
By the end of 1898, the US Army artillery was organized into seven regiments, two of which were created that year. In 1901, the regimental organization of the US Army artillery was abolished, and 126 companies of heavy (coast) artillery and 30 companies of light (field) artillery were established. In 1907, the artillery was split into a field artillery, with a regimental organization, and the coast artillery corps, with additional coast artillery companies, making a total of 170 companies. In 1924, a regimental organization of the Coast Artillery was instituted, an organizational status that lasted until the Coast Artillery regiments were broken up into separate battalions in 1943. Nearly all Coast Artillery units were deactivated 1944-1946. The Coast Artillery Corps was officially abolished in 1950.
1901 Corps Organization
In 1901, Congress became convinced that the coast artillery should have a task organization, and so it abolished the artillery regiments and created an artillery corps. Reflecting the divergence in methods and equipment since the old muzzleloading days, the corps was composed of 30 companies of field artillery and 126 companies of coast artillery. Coast artillery companies were numbered 1 to 126 and field artillery batteries from 1 to 30, but they were united in one branch of service, under a single chief of artillery. Eighty-two existing heavy batteries were designated coast artillery companies, and 44 new companies were created by splitting existing ones, after which both units filled out their ranks with new recruits. At the head of the Artillery Corps was a chief of artillery, with the rank of brigadier general. Although more of an inspectorate than a command position, the importance of this position can hardly be overstated. For the first time, there was a systematic attempt to regularize the equipment and training of the artillery. Further, seacoast defense planning, until now almost entirely the province of the Corps of Engineers, was now largely the responsibility of the artillery.
420 American Seacoast Defenses
Coast Artillery Companies were units of men, and batteries were the fixed emplacements with their guns. Each company was authorized 109 enlisted men, including non-commissioned officers. Although the secretary of war was empowered to fix the strength of individual companies as needed, it does not appear he took advantage of this authority.(4) Depending on its assignment, one company might man more than one battery. Companies were assigned to forts, which were administrative units commanded by the senior officer present.(5) The forts at each harbor were grouped into artillery districts (the occasional isolated small harbor was included in a larger artillery district), which were the primary tactical and administrative units, with the bulk of the staff and logistical services. The artillery district commander was analogous to a regimental commander in the infantry or cavalry; in turn, he was subordinate to the general who commanded all the troops in the territorial department.(6) The administrative relationship of these troop units was not markedly different from other army units, and was spelled out in detail in army regulations. Over the next half-century, the administrative organization was repeatedly changed, as the army struggled to balance the conflicting requirements and find the most efficient organization. As the new batteries were created and manpower grew, the new officer positions were filled by West Point graduates, transfers from other branches, and appointments from civilian life. Officers who had served in the Volunteers during the recent war took advantage of the opportunity to join the Regular Army. Unlike the infantry and cavalry, the Artillery Corps continued to be all white, reflecting both its level of technical sophistication and the prevailing views of the capabilities of blacks.

Coast Artillery Uniform

In 1902 a new uniform regulation was adopted. This is the uniform regulation most commonly associated with the Coast Artillery Corps. The new enlisted men’s dress jacket was still dark blue with red trim, but the style was updated to the cut of the current men’s clothing fashion. The jacket had shoulder straps and a standing collar. The short skirt was vented at the sides (later dropped) and sported new pattern buttons (smooth faced with the new national eagle motif ) and all new gilded insignia. The trousers were still sky blue and retained the late 1890s flared cuff. Black high top shoes completed the outfit, and brown leather belt and accessories were worn for dress occasions. The full dress ensemble was also adorned with a snazzy red breast cord with two big “waffles.” From head to toe, the new uniforms were very colorful and impressive to look at. The Coast Artillery Corps was supposed to use up the remaining stocks of the old pattern five-button sack coat. This may have made some economic sense, but the troops had other ideas.

In 1902 both the officers and enlisted men had new pattern four pocket jackets with a narrow stand and fall collar. Both coat and trousers were olive drab wool with brown leather accessories. Field equipment of brown leather and tan colored woven web began to be adopted. Eventually web material replaced much of the leather equipment. The coast artilleryman was equipped as infantry for field service. The 1889 pattern gray field or garrison hat remained in use with the olive drab bell crown cap for the service uniform. This bell crown cap became a symbol of the modern Army.

Footnotes
4. Army Reorganization Act (31 Stat. 748), February 2, 1901. WDGO 9, Feb. 6, 1901. WDGO 48, May 31, 1902.
5. War Department, Drill Regulations for Coast Artillery (Provisional) 1906, GPO, 1906, p. 13.
6. WDGO 81, June 13, 1901. WDGO 80, June 4, 1903.

MARY ELLA DARBY 1850 - 1936

2009-07-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

OBITUARY -
The Yakima Daily Republic, Yakima WA
20 May 1936

Mrs. Mary Ella Curtiss

Mrs. Mary Ella Curtiss, age 86, died last night in her home, 404 South Fourteenth Avenue, after an illness of 3 1/2 years. She was born in Green, N.Y., and had lived in Yakima 12 years. Members of the family are two sons, P.W. Curtiss of St. Joseph, MO, and Lloyd R. Curtiss of Council Bluffs, IA; two daughters, Mrs. W.A. Vaughn of Tulsa, OK, and Miss Helen Curtiss of Yakima; two brothers, A.T. Darby of Seattle and Eugene H. Darby of Yakima, and 14 grandchildren. Mrs. Curtiss was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in Shaw & Sons Chapel. The Rev. D.W. Ferry will officiate and pallbearers will be L.P. Peck, E.J. Davis, H.C. Davis, L. Ballinger, Ethan Taylor and I.W. Brown. Burial will be in Terrace Heights Memorial Park.

Alfred L. Curtiss Death Notice 1900

2009-06-06T14:06:00.001-07:00

I received photocopies from the Public Library in Saint Joseph, Missouri of the Death Notice for Great-Grandfather ALFRED L. CURTISS. They also included the Record of Deaths --- St. Joseph, Mo. for November 1900.

St. Joseph Daily News 5 Nov. 1900 - Page 6

A.L. CURTISS died at his residence, 1806 North Twenty-second Street, this morning at 12:45 o'clock, age forth-eight years. He was a carpenter by trade and had been ill for some time. The time of the funeral has not been announced.

Interesting Note - I went back and looked at the 1900 Census for Buchanan Co, St. Joseph, Missouri and found Alfred L. Curtiss and family. This census had a column entitled: "Length of months out of work". The date was June 13th and his entry was "6". So, he apparently had been ill for almost one year.

Health Office
Curtiss, A L - W(hite) - Nov. 5 1900 - 12:45 am - PA (born) - 1802 N. 22nd - 48 - M(arried) - M(ale) - Catarrh Stomach (cause) - F.O. Reynolds, MD.

Causes of Death in the Late 19th Century mentioned in the Register of Deaths, 1893-1907
Catarrh (Catarah/ Catarrah/ Catarrh of Brain/ Catarrh of Head/ Catarrh of Stomach/ Catarrh on the Breast/ Catarrk/ Catarrk Pneumonia) - An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congetion, swelling, and an alteration in the quantity and quality of mucous secreted. In America, especially, a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion from the membranes of nose or air passages. in England, an acute influenza, resulting from a cold and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude and watery eyes; also, the cold itself. Catarrh Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue associated with catarrh and with marked evidences of inflammation of the bronchial membranes - often chronic.
From a list of archaic medical terms :
Gastric Catarrh — Gastric catarrh is essentially a form of disease due to wrong feeding. Through habitual eating of excessive amounts of food materials, aided by the consumption of equally excessive quantities of liquids, the mucous lining of the stomach becomes affected in tone and its normal action is interfered with. When strong tea, coffee, alcohol, strong condiments, sauces, pickles, etc., etc., form a regular feature of the dietary, the mucous lining begins to become seriously irritated, and to protect itself it throws off excessive quantities of mucous, which interfere yet further with normal digestion, and in this way catarrh of the stomach arises. Although catarrh of the stomach may be allied in the same individual 'with catarrh of the nose and throat, it is not the outcome of the dropping of mucus from the nose and throat into the stomach as many believe. The point is that wrong feeding habits which will set up nasal catarrh can also set up gastric catarrh in the same person .
Treatment — The taking of medicinal drugs for the relief of the condition, whilst at the same time carrying on with the same unwise feeding habits which have set up the trouble in the first place, is obviously not the way to secure a permanent cure. The only real remedy for gastric catarrh lies in a thorough cleansing of the whole digestive tract and the adoption of a scheme of diet which will allow the stomach lining to normalise itself, instead of becoming more and more irritated. For such a scheme of treatment the reader is referred to that for Chronic Indigestion, to be found in the following pages of the present section . If such treatment is followed consistently, not only will the stomach trouble be cured, but the whole general health will be greatly improved.

Unfortunately, Great Grandfather never recovered.

FLOYD ROY CURTISS (1884)

2009-05-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

Floyd Roy Curtiss was the youngest son of Alfred LeRoy and Mary Ella Curtiss. He was born September 12, 1884 in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

He was tall and medium build with brown eyes and black hair.

He listed his occupations as Horse Shoer (1910) and Mechanic (1918)
He was married to Estella L. Boulwear (b.1886) in St. Joseph, Missouri June 20, 1910. Their marriage ended in divorce.

He married a second time to Anna Bess Dixon on July 29 1918. She had been married before to a Mr. Givens and was also divorced.

Floyd and Anna Bess had a daughter named Norma Curtiss in 1919.

EDWIN HENRY CURTISS (1879 - 1932)

2009-05-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Edwin H. Curtiss was Artur's older brother.

He was the third child born to Alfred L. and Mary Ella Curtiss. He was born in Laurel, Prince George's County, Maryland on June 30, 1879. He was 11 months old when his parents moved to St. Joseph, Missouri.

Edwin was 5 feet 10 inches with a slender build. He had gray eyes and dark hair.

Edwin was married to Norma A. Tisher (b.1883 Colorado, d.1909) and they lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. They were married only 6 years when Norma died. They had no children.

Edwin married a second time to Alice Leota Reeder (b.1888 Iowa, d.1943 California) They lived together about 17 years and were divorced. They had no children.

Alice Leota Reeder

Edwin was the Com. Photographer at Byrne Hammer Dry Goods in Omaha, Nebraska. Family members said that Alice divorced him and he was very unhappy resulting in his suicide.

PERCY WILLIAM CURTISS (1883 - 1969)

2009-05-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Percy W. Curtiss was Arthur's younger brother.

He was the fifth child out of nine children born to Alfred LeRoy and Mary Ella Curtiss.
Born Janurary 22, 1883 in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
He married Claudia Francis Basser (b. 1888 Missouri) and they had 3 children.

Donald Oliver Curtiss (b.1907)
William LeRoy Curtiss (b.1914)
Virginia Dale Curtiss (b.1918)

Percy was tall and slender with blue eyes and black hair.

He worked as a printer and the Manager of the Linotype Dept. at Combe Printing Co.

William lived his whole life in St. Joseph, Missouri and died in March 1969.

ARTHUR DARBY CURTISS Joins The U.S.ARMY

2009-05-26T18:54:00.001-07:00

Military Service
Arthur D. Curtiss enlisten in the US Army and became a Private 1st Class in the Hospital Corps Regiment 3rd Infantry on August 23, 1901. He was stationed in Alaska at Camp Skagway. He spent 3 years in the Hospital Corps and was Honorably Discharged on August 22, 1904.

His Discharge Certificate states this about him: The said Arthur D. Curtiss was born in St. Joseph in the State of Missouri and when enlisted was 21 1/2 years of age, (Note: This was not true because he had lied about his date of birth so he could enlist) 5 feet, 7-1/2 inches high, dark complexion, brown (#2) eyes, black hair and by occupation a shoemaker.

As to his Character: Excellent. Signed: Rodney D. Smith, Contract Surgeon, U.S. Army, Commanding Det. H.C.

ALFRED LEROY CURTISS (1852 - 1900)

2009-04-19T16:23:00.001-07:00

Alfred L. Curtiss was born in Pennsylvania in 1852.

First census he appears in is 1860 in Allegheny Township, Venango Co. Pa. He was 7 years old. He appears as Leroy. This is probably because his father was also Alfred. His mother is listed as S.E. Curtiss. (In the 1870 Census she is listed as Ellen.)

In the 1870 Census the family had moved to Howard County, Maryland. They lived in the 6th Election District. (If someone knows where that is please reply.)

By the 1880 Census they had moved to St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri.

Leroy was a carpenter for the entire time he lived in St. Joseph, Mo. He co-owned a business in 1898-99 called Carson & Curtiss - 1821 Frederick Ave. The Carson of Carson & Curtiss was S.M.Carson 'contractor'.

Leroy Curtiss was married to Mary Ella Darby in 1875. They had nine children. The first two, born in Maryland, died within the first few months of their little lives. The third child Edwin H. was also born in Maryland just before they moved to St. Joseph, Mo. He was only 11 months old in his first Census in 1880. Then Arthur Darby, child number 4, my grandfather was born. After that Percy W., Floyd R., Frederick (d. 8 mo.), Hellen D., and Ruth L.

When Leroy, Mary Ella and Edwin H. first moved to St. Joseph, they lived with a relatives of Mary Ella. A senior couple listed as C. & M.A. Darby. I discovered their names to be Chauncy and Mary A. Darby. Mr. Darby lists his occupation as Baptist Minister.

Alfred Leroy died before the 1910 Census as Mary Ella is listed as a widow.

2009-04-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

The Arthur D. Curtiss Family

Moves To California (1920 - 2008)

In the 1920's, the Arthur D. Curtiss family moved from Omaha, Nebraska to Los Angeles, California. Arthur's name appears in the 1924 Los Angeles Voter Registration as a Florist living at 1117 Idaho Avenue.

Here they are at the Del Mar shores.

Clockwise Top - Arthur D., Ethelyne Nadine (14), Ruby Lucille (13), Helen Francis (8), Vesta L. Curtiss.

The Death of Arthur D. Curtiss

On July 21, 1924 a son was born to Arthur and LaVesta named Edward Harry Curtiss. He never knew his father because 3 months earlier Arthur became seriously ill and entered the Veterens Hospital in Sawtelle, a military hospital in West Los Angeles. He was transfered to the Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino, California where he died on June 27, 1925. His family didn't know he was gone for weeks as the Military was hush about his condition, treatment and demise. They were eventually informed he had died and was burried in San Bernardino, 60 miles from their home in West Los Angeles.

Arthur Darby Curtiss Marries

2009-01-03T15:31:00.000-08:00

Upon completion of his service in the US Army Hospital Corp, Arthur D. Curtiss returned to St. Joseph, Missouri and married Lata LaVesta Launder in 1905. They were married in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph, Missouri located at Jule & 21st Street. The Minister who signed their Marriage Certificate was Rev. Henry Nelson Bullard dated August 22, 1905.

By the 1910 US Federal Census they had two childern, Ethelyn N. (1906) and Ruby L. (1907), both daughters were born in St. Joseph, Missouri.

I love this old photo. All these women! Arthur doesn't look very happy. Included in the photo (l to r) dauthter Ruby, mother Mary Ella, in front sitting next to Arthur on the step is sister Hellen, daughter Ethelyne, sister Ruth, behind him is wife Lata LaVesta (Vesta), sister-in-law Alice Leota. (Possibly taking the photo is his brother Edwin H. who was professional photographer.)

Move to Nebraska

Between the 1910 Census and the birth of daughter Helen F. in May 1912, the Curtiss family, including Arthur's mother Mary Ella (Darby), brothers Floyd R. and Edwin H. with their families, all moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Mary Ella was a widow in the 1910 Census. In Omaha, Arthur's occupation was now florist. He worked for Charles Ederer at 308 Bristol St., and he worked in greenhouses and did landscaping.

Arthur is pictured here (at the far left) with his mates at Ederer .

World War I Draft Registration Card (1918)

We find some interesting facts about Arthur Darby Curtiss from his September 12, 1918 draft registration card. We learn that he lived at 3513 N. 30th, Douglas Co., Omaha, Nebraska. He lists his occupation as Florist employed by Chas Ederer at 308 Bristol St. Most interesting is the spelling of his wife's name, which he spells Lata LaVesta Curtiss. (Everyone has always believed her name was Lita LaVesta!) He is a natural born American. He was 5-ft 7 1/2-in tall with brown eyes and black hair.

By the 1920 US Federal Census the Arthur D. Curtiss family is still living in Omaha, Nebraska and now has another daughter, Helen Francis Curtiss born in 1912.

Elmwood Park - The family enjoyed their time together in the beautiful 55 acre park along Leavenworth Street that fit the report’s description as a “wild and romantic place,” containing a wooded ravine that followed the course of a small stream.” “There are all manner of shady nooks in this dell, and some of the largest forest trees in this section of the country are to be seen in it,” the story continued. Most impressive along the trees were the huge elms that prompted the Commissioners to give the park the name Elmwood.

Arthur D. Curtiss Family in Omaha, Nebraska (1910 - 1920)
Lata LaVesta (Launder) - Wife
Ethelyne N. - Daughter
Ruby L. - Daughter
Helen F. - Daughter
Mary Ella (Darby) - Mother
Hellen D. - Sister
Edwin H. - Brother
Alice L.(Reeder) - Sister-in-law
Floyd R. - Brother
Estella L. (Boulware) - Sister-in-law

ARTHUR DARBY CURTISS (1881 - 1925)

2009-01-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

The first place we find Arthur D. Curtiss is in the 1900 US Census - Buchanan County, St. Joseph, Missouri. (He was listed incorrectly as Arthur B.)
Born in 1880, he was 18 years old at the taking of the Census. He is the 2nd living child of Alfred L. and Mary E. (Darby) Curtiss. He is the first child born in Missouri. They lived at 1802 N. 22nd Street.

The family must have moved to Missouri some time around 1879 because the 1880 census has Arthur's older brother, Edwin H. being born in Maryland, and 11 months old. Since the little family had just moved from Maryland, they stayed with relatives of Mary Ella's named Rev. Chauncy Darby and wife Mary A.
Darby was a 64 yr. old minister. One census states he as a Baptist Minister.

Arthur grew up in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Where he went to school I haven't found yet.

The 1898-99 City Directory has Arthur D. Curtiss listed as "shoemaker" at N.N. & Co.

His father co-owned a carpentry business called Carson & Curtiss at 1821 Frederick Ave.
Mr. S.M. Carson is listed as a "contractor".

Arhtur's father, Alfred L. Curtiss died some time around 1900-01. About nine months after his father died, Arthur joined the Army and left St. Joseph.

Military Service
Arthur D. Curtiss joined the U.S. Army in 1901 and served at Camp Skagway, Alaska for 3 years. He was a Private First Class in the Hospital Corp. At age 21 ½ he was 5-ft. 7 ½ -in., with brown eyes and black hair. His discharge certificate listed his character as "Excellent” and was signed by Rodney D. Smith, Contract Surgeon, U.S. Army, Commanding Det. H.C.

Looking For CURTISS Roots

2009-01-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

I've been working on my Curtiss roots now for a relatively short time, maybe a year. I've gone just so far and am not able to go much further. So, I'm starting this blog in hopes of finding relatives who may have information, family photos and others pieces of history to help us all find our Curtiss roots.

Here is what I have so far:
Arthur Darby Curtiss - b: 24 Jul 1881 in Missouri, d: 27 Jun 1925 in California, m: 22 Aug 1905 Lita LaVesta Launder b: 26 Mar 1884 in Jewell, Kansas.

Son of
Alfred Leroy Curtiss - b: 15 Jul 1852 in Pennsylvania, d: 3 Nov 1900 in Missouri, m: Mary Ella Darby b: 14 Jul 1852 in Blodgett Mills, New York.

Son of
Alfred H Curtiss - b: 26 May 1828 in Pennsylvania, d:?, m: Sarah Ellen ____ (possible name Oakes), b: 26 May 1831 in Pennsylvania (or New York)

My Grandfather was Arthur Darby Curtiss.
His siblings were:
Edwin H. Curtiss b. 30 Jun 1879
Percy W. Curtiss b. 22 Jan 1883
Floyd R. Curtiss b. 12 Sep 1884
Hellen D. Curtiss b. 18 Jul 1890
Ruth L. Curtiss b. 18 Oct 1893

As stated above, Alfred L. Curtiss was married to Mary Ella Darby. This is what I know about Mary Ella Darby Curtiss. Her parents were Edwin Darby and Helen Short.

Edwin Henry Darby (1820 - 1891) b. Cortland, NY. d. Cameron, Clinton, MO. m. 5 Jun 1846 =
Helen L. Short (1826 - 1897) b. Madison, NY. d. Cameron, Clinton, MO.

Children:
Mary Ella Darby (1850 - 1936) b. Blodgett Mills, NY. d. Yakima, WA
Edwin Franklin Darby (1852 - 1909) b. Blodgett Mills, NY
Theodore Short Darby (1854 - 1935) b. Blodgett Mills, NY
Clarence Hinkley Darby (1857 - 1883) b. Greene, Chenago, NY
Arthur Tyler Darby (1860 - 1945) b. Greene, Chenago, NY
Eugene Hammond Darby (1865 - 1946) b. Greene, Chenago, NY. d. Yakima, WA.

I'm looking for relatives who can help me find out more info about my gggrandfather - Alfred H. Curtiss. Thanks.