This post is primarily an attempt to connect with my Curtiss relatives. I've added your names to this list hoping that you have done a web search of your own name or the names of your parents to see what may be out there. If you find your name in this list on this blog, you are my cousin and I would love to make a connection. You can send an email to this blog and I can then get in touch with you. Here's the list of Cousins I've found:
Virginia Dale (Curtiss) Thorp
Rodney K. Thorp
Letitia C. Thorp (Allan, Ferry, Graybill)
Linda K. Thorp (Crandell)
Norma Dixon (Curtiss) Donat Joiner
Ronald Floyd Donat
Ronald J. Donat
Patricia Ann Joiner
Showing posts with label Curtiss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curtiss. Show all posts
Sunday, October 22, 2017
HENRY HATCH CURTISS
My 2xGreat Grandfather's brother, Henry H. Curtiss was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania 1829. His parents were Alfred and Charlotte (Hatch) Curtiss.
He married a local girl named Varilla W. Waid on the 4th of July 1849. They had four daughters named Ada Evangeline, Alma Bernice, Adelma Clarabell and little Hattie May who died by age 3.
In 1850 at age 21, Henry was a Blacksmith and lived in Randolph Township, PA, close to where his father had a farm in Guys Mills. He moved his family to Allegany Township, PA where he was farming. In 1863 he registered in the Civil War Draft Registration but did not serve. That same year Hattie May died. Henry made a career change and moved to Pleasantville, PA where he became a News Dealer. He stayed in Pleasantville for the remainder of his life which ended suddenly one night in 1878.
On the night of October 18th, Henry had invited guests to his home for dinner. Dr. William A.Glover, Miss Theresa Lay and Mary A. Lay were there in the sitting room with daughter Dell (Adelma) enjoying a conversation about the scenery in Arizona. Everyone was having a good time and according to Mary Lay, Henry was in his usual happy entertaining spirits. They mentioned some relics that they had gotten and Henry got up from his seat and went to his desk. He said he had some interesting relics from a nitroglycerine explosion to show Dr. Glover. As he pulled the bones out of his desk drawer Dell said she didn't like having them in the house as they were skull bones. They were looking at the bones and heard the sound of a pistol firing. Henry said, "Who loaded this pistol?" He got up, walked to the lounge where he had been sitting earlier and sat down. Everyone thought he had exploded something to frighten them until he slumped over on the lounge. Dr. Glover said, "I thought he had exploded something to frighten us; then I got up and just as my back was turned I heard their screams, and as I turned around I saw him falling and caught him and put him on the lounge, and found life extinct." They called for Dr. Benedict who did a full examination and found a wound in his left side. The bullet had passed through his heart. Dell said that her father "was in his usual good spirits" and that it was her pistol that was kept in the desk drawer and she had been the one to load it about a year before the accident. He apparently didn't know it was loaded when he put it back in the drawer and it fired off a round into his side. The Coroner's Inquest concluded it was an accidental shooting.
He married a local girl named Varilla W. Waid on the 4th of July 1849. They had four daughters named Ada Evangeline, Alma Bernice, Adelma Clarabell and little Hattie May who died by age 3.
In 1850 at age 21, Henry was a Blacksmith and lived in Randolph Township, PA, close to where his father had a farm in Guys Mills. He moved his family to Allegany Township, PA where he was farming. In 1863 he registered in the Civil War Draft Registration but did not serve. That same year Hattie May died. Henry made a career change and moved to Pleasantville, PA where he became a News Dealer. He stayed in Pleasantville for the remainder of his life which ended suddenly one night in 1878.
On the night of October 18th, Henry had invited guests to his home for dinner. Dr. William A.Glover, Miss Theresa Lay and Mary A. Lay were there in the sitting room with daughter Dell (Adelma) enjoying a conversation about the scenery in Arizona. Everyone was having a good time and according to Mary Lay, Henry was in his usual happy entertaining spirits. They mentioned some relics that they had gotten and Henry got up from his seat and went to his desk. He said he had some interesting relics from a nitroglycerine explosion to show Dr. Glover. As he pulled the bones out of his desk drawer Dell said she didn't like having them in the house as they were skull bones. They were looking at the bones and heard the sound of a pistol firing. Henry said, "Who loaded this pistol?" He got up, walked to the lounge where he had been sitting earlier and sat down. Everyone thought he had exploded something to frighten them until he slumped over on the lounge. Dr. Glover said, "I thought he had exploded something to frighten us; then I got up and just as my back was turned I heard their screams, and as I turned around I saw him falling and caught him and put him on the lounge, and found life extinct." They called for Dr. Benedict who did a full examination and found a wound in his left side. The bullet had passed through his heart. Dell said that her father "was in his usual good spirits" and that it was her pistol that was kept in the desk drawer and she had been the one to load it about a year before the accident. He apparently didn't know it was loaded when he put it back in the drawer and it fired off a round into his side. The Coroner's Inquest concluded it was an accidental shooting.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Helen Francis Curtiss Conner
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| Helen Francis "Babe" & her Mother c1919. |
Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was about 7 years old and she has lived there her entire life.
She was married to John Wesley "Wes" Conner for 63 years and has two sons, John Arthur Conner and David O. Conner of Los Angeles and Havasu, AZ.
She worked as a stenographer for the UC Board of Regents until she retired.
+Conner+c1967.jpg)
Babe's family and friends gathered at her home in West LA on May 12, 2012 to celebrate her and shower her with much love and affection. She thanked everyone for coming and said that she was grateful to God for the wonderful life He has given her. She made a joke and said that "time has passed so quickly since I was 80 cause I can't remember the last 20 years!" Everyone toasted her with champagne.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Alfred Curtiss - Death of an Old Pioneer
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 thrilling scene, incidents 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.
Monday, August 31, 2009
CENSUS DETECTIVE
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.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Alfred L. Curtiss Death Notice 1900
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
PERCY WILLIAM CURTISS (1883 - 1969)
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.
Percy lived his whole life in St. Joseph, Missouri and died in March 1969.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Arthur Darby Curtiss Marries
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
Friday, January 2, 2009
Looking For CURTISS Roots
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.
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.
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