ARTHUR DARBY CURTISS Joins The U.S.ARMY

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.

ARTHUR DARBY CURTISS (1881 - 1925)

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.