Seth C. CURTIS

CURTIS, HILL, COOK, KNIGHT, BRIGGS, HULL, MURDOCK

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/9/2009 at 13:41:51

Seth C. CURTIS, a prominent and representative farmer of Louisa County, residing on section 22, Concord Township, was born Sept. 9, 1826, in Steuben County, N. Y., and was the eighth in a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, who were born to Simeon and Patience (Hill) Curtis, the father a native of New Hampshire, and the mother of Rhode Island.

His parents were married in the latter State, where the father worked at the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and also followed that occupation in New York and after his removal to Constantine, St. Joseph Co., Mich., in 1844. In that place he resided until his death, which occurred in 1856, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife dying in 1851, at sixty-five years of age. The father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and participated in the battles of Lake Champlain and Plattsburg.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Noah and Rhoda (Cook) Curtis, were natives of New Hampshire, where the former engaged in farming and teaching school until his death, which occurred many years ago. The maternal grandparents, Henry and Patience (Knight) Hill, lived in New York, though the former was a native of England and the latter of Wales.

S. C. Curtis was reared to farm life, and received his education in the district schools of his native State. In 1844 he removed with his parents to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he was employed at clearing land and chopping wood, working by the month. While in that county, in March, 1852, he was united in marriage, becoming the husband of Harriet Briggs, a native of Lincolnshire, England, and a daughter of Edward and Maria Briggs, who were also born in that country. She emigrated to America with her parents, settling in St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1844, where the father engaged in farming, and there both parents died in 1851.

To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were born eight children, five of whom are now living: Edward S.,a resident of Concord Township; Frances Minerva, now Mrs. Hull, of Bedford, Taylor Co.. Iowa; William L. is married, and resides at Fredonia, where he is Station Agent, and also a dealer in general merchandise; T. J. L. is married, and living in Concord Township; Nellie F., wife of Mr. Murdock, resides on the home farm.

After his marriage Mr. Curtis was engaged at railroad contracting on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, making his home at Somonauk, DeKalb Co., Ill. He took contracts on different lines of roads, but lived in that State for about two years, and then came West, settling in Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1854, where he again engaged in railroad contracting, which he carried on for eight or ten years. In 1855 he removed to Louisa County, where lie worked on what is now the Chicago, Rock Island, Pacific, then called the Mississippi, Missouri Railroad. His first purchase of land was in Grand View Township, but he afterward sold that and bought 160 acres, which were partly improved, on sections 16 and 17 of the same township, where he resided for eight years, at the expiration of which time he sold that farm, and in March, 1868, removed to his present home. It is situated on section 22, Concord Township, four miles from the city of Columbus Junction. He first bought 400 acres, but from time to time has added to this until he now owns 640 acres of fine land in a good state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising stock, in which he is quite successful, and has one of the best stock farms in the county. He annually buys and feeds from 100 to 140 head of cattle, and his horses are of the Norman breed. Mr. Curtis casts his vote with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in political affairs. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fredonia, in which he has served as Steward, and is at present one of the Trustees. He is a member of Columbus City Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M., of Columbus Junction, having belonged to the order fur many years. In connection with his large farming interests he has been associated with the Louisa County National Bank, having served as its second President, and also as one of the Directors. A man of good business ability, strict integrity and genial manner, he has been quite successful, and has won many friends, both in the business and social world. For eight years he has served as a member of the Board of County Supervisors.

Source: Portraits and Biographies copyrighted by Chapman Bros. 1885