Notice of Benjamin's Death in the Big Timber Pioneer

Benjamin Kingman Curtis passed away on 13 December 1902 in Preston, Idaho. At the time of his passing, several of his children were living in Big Timber, Montana. Five days after his passing, the local Big Timber newspaper published a notice that the children had received word of his death. The children mentioned in this notice were:

1. O.B. - this is Oscar Benjamin Curtis, the fourth child in the Curtis family.
2. C. J. - this is Cyrus Jerome Curtis, the oldest child in the Curtis family.
3. Nick - this is William Rushmer Curtis, the seventh child in the Curtis family. He went by the nickname of "Nick" for many years.
4. Geo and Mrs. Geo. Reynolds - this is in reference to Sarah Ellenor Curtis and her husband George Robert Reynolds. Sarah was the third child in the family and the first daughter.

The article mentioned that six of the nine children in the family were living in Big Timber, but only listed the four names. The last sentence mentioned who had left Big Timber to go back to Idaho for the funeral. O. B., Chas. and Mrs. Reynolds were the three who went, and this identifies the fifth child who lived in Big Timber. Chas. is in reference to Friend Charles Curtis, the second child in the Curtis family. Friend Charles eventually died in Big Timber and and was buried in the local cemetery. 

See the original newspaper at Big Timber Pioneer, 18 December 1902, pg 5

Delbert Canfield Curtis Passes Away

Delbert C. Canfield, 67, a heavy duty mechanic who owned and operated his own shop at Hayden Lake before retiring three years ago, died today at the hospital here. He resided at Hayden Lake. Mr. Curtis was born in Big Timber, Montana, and married the former Garnet Greenfield at Sandpoint Sept. 8, 1942, the couple moving here from Whithall, Montana, 26 years ago. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Survivors are his widow, at the home; a step-son, Russell Greenfield, Billings, Montana; two brothers, Reed Curtis, Brigham City, Utah, and Guy Curtis, Escondido, California; and four sisters, Mrs. Florence Brown, Monroe, Utah; Mrs. Ada Johansen, Newhall, California; Mrs. Ina Spongberg, Visalia, California; and Mrs. Lovant Sinks, Lakewood, California.

Delbert's memorial service program states that he was born 31 May 1901 at Big Timber, Montana and that he died 17 July 1968 at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. His funeral was held on 20 July 1968 and he was buried at the Restlawn Memorial Park in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Sunday's Obituary - Friend William Curtis 1890-1957

A few of years ago my parents visited the historical office for Big Timber, Sweet Grass, Montana. My grandmother Ada Curtis (my Dad's mother), was born at Big Timber and lived there during her childhood and some of her early youth. The historical office has a collection of newspaper clippings for the early residents of the town that included many of the extended Curtis family members. Friend William Curtis and Ada Curtis were cousins. Friend grew up in the same area, but eventually moved to Washington with his family. Even though he died and was buried in Washington, the Sweet Grass historical office had two obituaries on file for him. I don't know the name of the newspaper the obituaries were published in, but with so many newspapers going online, I hope it won't be too hard to find out.

First Obituary - Last Rites Held for Friend W. Curtis 
Funeral services for Friend William Curtis, 66, were conducted from the Einan's Deseret Memorial Chapel in Richland, Wash., April 22, at 2 p.m., under the direction of Richland, Wash., third ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bishop Harold Derricott officiated.

Pallbearers were Frank Standefer, L. P. Conner, N. E. O'Connor, R. E. House, Ray Culver and R. B. Turnipseed. Interment was in the Richland cemetery.

Mr. Curtis, who retired about a year ago as a maintenance worker for General Electric at Richland, died of a stroke in Kadlec Methodist hospital in Richland April 20. He had been ill with a heart condition for the past year.

Mr. Curtis was born in Preston, Idaho, April 19, 1890. He came to Sweet Grass county with his parents at an early age and had resided here until moving to Richland about 13 years ago.
Surviving include his widow: four sons, Benjamin W., Donald K.; Dean H. and Leo C. Curtis, all of Richland; two daughters, Mrs. Arthur (Jene) Roppe of Kennewick, Wash., and Mrs. Dwight (Maribel) Manning of Richland; a sister Mrs. Madge Otis of Madera, Calif., and 18 grandchildren.

Second Obituary - Friend Curtis  Dies in Washington
Dies in Washington Relatives here have been notified of the death of Friend Curtis at Richland, Wash., Saturday. Cause of death was not given but it is known that he had been ill for some time. Burial was at Richland. The deceased is well known here having lived in this community most of his life until moving to Washington a number of years ago.

Source: The historical society that my parents visited and obtained copies of both obituaries was the Crazy Mountain Museum. The museum is located south of Big Timber on Cemetery Road.

Mayflower Descendants

The descendants of Benjamin Kingman Curtis and Sarah Lavantia Card have the potential to qualify for membership in the Mayflower Society. The lineage that potentially qualifies is:

1. John Billington, Mayflower passenger
2. Francis Billington, son of John Billington
3. Mary Billington, daughter of Francis Billington, and wife of Samuel Sabin.
4. Israel Sabin, son of Samuel Sabin and Mary Billington. Israel married Mary Ormsby.
5. Josiah Sabin, son of Israel Sabin and Mary Ormsby. Josiah married Mary Gay.
6. Israel Sabin, son of Josiah Sabin and Mary Gay. Israel married Avis Bennett.
7. Josiah Sabin, son of Israel Sabin and Avis Bennett. Josiah married Lydia Cady.
8. Sarah Ann Sabin, daughter of Josiah Sabin and Lydia Cady. Sarah married William Fuller Card.
9. Sarah Lavantia Card, daughter of William Fuller Card and Sarah Ann Sabin. Sarah married Benjamin Kingman Curtis.
10. Benjamin Kingman Curtis and Sarah Lavantia Card had ten children. Nine lived to adulthood and married. The eight children who have possible living descendants that could apply for membership in the Mayflower Society include: 

• Cyrus Jerome Curtis
• Friend Charles Curtis
• Sarah Ellenor Curtis
• Oscar Benjamin Curtis
• George Leslie Curtis
• William Rushmer Curtis
• Mary Lavantia Curtis
• DeWilton Emory Curtis

Autobiography of Grace Fincher Curtis

An autobiography of Grace Fincher Curtis, titled, "The Winding Trail", was published in 1991 by Diana Dekoeyer.

The dedication states, "Diana, bless her, has always been so good to old Grandma Grace. She is making a book out of my life. That is, if she can make heads or tails of my crazy writings."

Grace Amy Fincher was born 9 August 1895 R Manfred, North Dakota. She married Sherman James Curtis on 7 April 1915 at Harve, Hill county, Montana. Sherman was born on 3 June 1892 in Preston, Idaho, the son of Oscar Benjamin Curtis and Esther Mary Thompson. Sherman died 25 January 1970 and Grace died in 1998, both in California. The book is 147 pages and includes:

• The children of Herbert and Liza Fincher
• Michigan to Canada 1910-1914
• A Short History of Sherman James Curtis
• Boy Meets Girl 1915-1922
• Journey to Idaho 1923
• Coeur d'Alene
• On to Washington
• Orient, Washington
• British Columbia to Yakima then to Spokane 1925-1926
• Big Timber 1927
• Caliente, Nevada 1928
• California 1929
• Antelope Valley 1930-1944
• Burbank and Vista 1945-1948
• Aguanga 1950-1955
• Vista 1956-1957
• Grapevine 1958-1960
• Sonora 1961-1963
• Vista 1964-1990

I do not have a copy of the autobiography and I believe the book is out of print. If anyone knows where a copy can be obtained or viewed, please add comments to this post. Thanks so much!