R. J. CURTIS

R. J. CURTIS, a successful agriculturist of Monroe Township, has been a resident of Shelby County since 1881. He was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, March 17, 1858, and is a son of Wellington and Eliza (Bows) Curtis. The father was born in the State of New York, and is one of the early settlers of Rock Island. County. The mother was born in Ireland, and was brought to Rock Island County when a child. Wellington Curtis and wife had nine children, of whom B. J. was the third. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools of Rock Island County, Illinois. In 1881 Mr. Curtis came to Shelby County and settled on eighty acres of land in section 14, which he sold in 1885, when he bought his present farm of J. H. Philips, who had broken it out. Mr. Curtis has put the other improvements on the place, and has made a very desirable farm. He has built a story and a half frame residence, barns, sheds and cribs; he has also planted a grove and an orchard. On October 8, 1844, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Smith, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lambert) Smith. The father was born in Ohio, and the mother in Indiana; both were brought to the State of Iowa in childhood. They are the parents of eight children, of whom Ida M. is the oldest. She was born in Dallas County, Iowa, July 25, 1862, and received a good education, partly in the Adel High School. She is an accomplished musician, and has made a profession of teaching music since 1879. She has been a resident of Shelby County since 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are members of the Christian church of Harlan. In politics he inclines to the principles of the Republican party. They are in the prime of life, and have won an enviable position in the community in which they live.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 632. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.