St. Joseph County, Michigan Biographies & Histories

The following biographies have been searched:

Portraits and biographical album of St. Joseph County, Michigan: containing full pages portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county.  (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1889.) FHL Book 977.419 D3s and Film 1000247 item 4.

• Searched 8 June 1993. No Curtis surname biographical sketches. Did not check for Card surnames. Could go back to the record and check for the Card family names. Perhaps within a Card history there is mention of Benjamin Curtis, etc.

History of St. Joseph County, Michigan: with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories from original sketches by artists of the highest ability, 1827-1877. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1877.  (FHL film 1295532)

• Searched 15 Nov 1989 and 8 June 1993. Book includes township histories of Park, pg 214-220 and Mottville, pg 86-94. Histories include biographical sketches for Mottville: Andrew Thompson, Aaron Brooks, Joseph Miller, John Hartman, Halsey Caskey, Jacob S. Smith, David Ebi, Stephen M. Nash, and Samuel R. Wiley. Biographical sketches from Park: Richard Dougherty; John Lomison; and James Hitchinson. This history also mentioned “Prairie Ronde,” but in what context I don't have notes. If needed, should probably go back to see why this locality was mentioned in the history. The names I extracted from the index with the details from respective pages include:
• E. Curtis, pg 76 & 146: Rev. E. Curtis of Baptist Church, Three Rivers, for 6 months in 1873.
• Thomas M. Ortis, Pvt, pg 127: The name Ortis was in the index with the Curtis names, and found spelled Curtis on pg 127. Battery G, 1st Light Artillery. Discharged for disability.
• Shepherd Curtis, Pvt., and Samuel Curtis Pvt. Pg 126: Company D, 19th Infantry, Mustered out.
• S. W. Curtis, Maj. Pg 54: of the 7th Michigan Infantry. Led the regiment on May 5, 1864 in battle of Wilderness. Co. K was the St. Joseph Co. in the regiment.
• Jay S. Curtis, pg 162: Elsie Lodge No. 3 Daughters of Rebekah, I situated 18 May 1869. Lodge named in honor of wife of Grand Master Jay S. Curtis.
• I. Curtis, pg 119: Listed as one of the first carpenters and joiners in Constantine.
• H. W. Foster, pg 96, 100, 103: Dry goods trade 
• Benjamin Kingman Curtis served in the Civil War, but was mustered into service at Ottawa county. Since Benjamin lived in St. Joseph county during 1850's it is possible that some of the Curtis residents were related to Benjamin and their service or pension records might be helpful. The following Regiments and Companies were from St. Joseph County:
• 1st Reg Infantry; 2nd Reg Infantry, Company G from Constantine Twp; 4th Reg Infantry; 6th Reg Infantry, Co. C; 7th Reg Infantry, Co. K; 11th Reg Infantry, Co. A, C, D, E, F, G, and I; 13th Reg Infantry; 15th Reg Infantry, led by Capt. John A. Waterman of Burr Oak; 19th Reg Infantry, Co. D and E; 25th Reg Infantry, Co. D & G; 1st Light Artillery, Battery D, F, and G

French St. Joseph: Le Poste de la Riviere St. Joseph, 1690-1780, by Mildred Webster. (FHL book 977.419 H2w)

The Curtis and Card families were not in St. Joseph during this time period. Could go back and search the record for other Card or Curtis families that might be related.

St. Joseph in Homespun: a Centennial Souvenir, by Sue Imogene Silliman. Tucson: W.C. Cox, 1974. (FHL film 1000247)

No Curtis surnames in the index. Did not check for Card surnames.

Reed Josiah Curtis and Ella May Canfield Curtis

This history was written 1 December 1977 by Reed Josiah Curtis and was supposed to be an autobiographical history, but instead the main focus of the history was Reed's mother, Ella May Canfield Curtis:

I Reed J. Curtis the nineth child of William Rushmer Curtis and Ella May (Canfield) Curtis, shall write a little about my mother. My first recollection of her was as a small child perhaps about four years old in Parker Idaho, where we had moved to from Big Timer, Montana at age two and a half. We lived in a log house where two of my younger sisters were born. I remember her at that time as a busy loving mother with a large family to care for.

We lived close to the church, which was the hub of most all our activity. I remember the "Ward Teachers" coming to our home and we allways had prayer, kneeling down to chairs. It has had a lasting impression on my life. Also Christmas time at the Church brings fond memories. Mother was always the spiritual one in the family. Teaching us to pray and always keep the commandments which she taught us. She taught us how to work and be honest.

After moving back to Montana in 1910 my youngest sister was born. Mother worked real hard with such a large family, washing, cooking, bakeing and many other duties that go with a large household. We always had a clean home no matter how humble. Dad used to say mother could make a palace out of a pig pen.

Mother took a lot of pride in her personal appearance, keeping herself always looking nice and prim.

Most all her life while raising the family we lived where we had no contact with the church, only as missionaries came through our part of the country. A few families of Saints who lived in the area would gather at one of the homes on the Dry Creek School House and hold meeting.

We had just built a new home in 1916 at Big Timber, Montana and mother had been ill for some time, finally the doctor told her she would have to move to a lower altitude as it was over four thousand feet at Big Timber. So in spring of 1917 mother, dad and the three youngest sisters left for Long Beach California. The population of Big Timber at that time was 1500, now sixty years later it has grown to 1550, an increase of 50.

Mothers health improved rapidly, and she enjoyed pretty good health the balance of her life. We lived on three different ranches as dad had charge of 400 poland China hogs for Freeman A. McKinzie the first ranch was 40 acres at Lywood, Ca., next we moved to a place temporarily on Willow Ave in Long Beach, a sandy river bottom, it is now solid city in that area. Next to a place one mile west of Westminister, had a 40 acre place, it also is solid city now.

After I had married and moved to Fresno California in 1929, entered into business "Meat Market" Mother and dad came up to Fresno and dad worked with me in the market for a year or so. Then returned to Long Beach. After dad died Mother lived with my oldest sister where she passed away following dad after twelve years. Mothers kind and loving personality has made a deep impression on my life, for which I shall always be greatfull.

Signed by Reed J. Curtis.

In the sketch Reed wrote about his father William Rushmer Curtis, he included this short paragraph about himself:

I Reed J. Curtis was born at Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, Montana 25 January 1904 the nineth child, I have no physical defects, about 18 years ago I lost partial vision in my left eye, I have only tunnel vision in that eye.

Biographical sketch of William Rushmer Curtis

William's son, Reed Josiah Curtis, wrote his autobiography on 22 Nov 1977 which included a short biographical sketch of his father:

"My name is Reed Josiah Curtis. I am one of twelve children, my parents were William Rushmer Curtis and Ella May (Canfield) Curtis. I shall try to write a few things about my father. William Rushmer Curtis, born 12 Aug 1866 Talmage, Ottawa, Michigan. He emigrated to Utah at the age of fourteen with his parents. He married Ella May Canfield 23 March 1890 at Preston, Franklin, Idaho. He died 10 Dec 1938 at Long Beach California. He was always known as "Nick" Curtis.

"My father was a man of medium height 5 ft. 8 or 9 [inches]. Weight around 175 pounds . A well built man, with black hair and brown eyes, (was regarded by the ladies as a handsome man). In his younger days was quite talented as a "step dancer" as it was known those days . He was a kind man, but burdened with a large family to provide for. He became irritated at times. He loved to fish and was very proficient at it, he would fish a little most every day. One year he won first place catching the largest trout of the year a little over eight pounds, the prize was a fly rod and other gear.

"We all knew he was the head of the household. He occupied that roll in a Patriarchal manner. My memory of him shall always be of a kind loving father, he was especially good to me, and always tried to do as he told me, I perhaps had a longer association with him than some of the other children.

"When father passed away in 1938, we children were all gathered together for the first time in our lives. One sister "Etta" was in the hospital in Los Angeles with a new baby, we all gathered at the hospital and had a picture taken. The only one missing was Dad and a younger brother "Floyd" who died at age two and a half years.

"I do not remember my grandparents as they had all died before I was born. I shall tell more about them or what I know from information by word of mouth from Mother and Dad Curtis in my personal autobiography which I am in the process of writing." Signed by Reed J. Curtis.

History of Grandfather Curtis

On March 3, 1979 Phyllis Hobbs Kendall wrote a history of her grandfather, Benjamin Kingman Curtis. The three page history was originally distributed to family members on legal size paper and is shared in this Blog as it was originally written:

History of Grandfather Benjamin Kingman Curtis

He was born at Genesee, Ontario County, New York, Jan. 12, 1828. We have not yet verified names, dates, etc. concerning his parents, so will not give those details now, but he was definitely of French descent, judging from names in the family and his very dark hair and black eyes and olive skin which has carried down thru the generations distinctively. His height was 5 ft. 8 inches. He lived Lamont P.O., Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, near Grand Rapids, Michigan many years, but lived in many placed prior to settling down on his own farm near Grand Rapids, Mich. He was married to Sarah Lavantia Card May 24th, 1851, at Park, St. Joseph, Mich. by Rev. Hershel Foster. His first son, Cyrus Jerome was born there June 1, 1852. He eventually moved to Ossian, Allegany Co. New York by time his second son Friend Charles was born July 31, 1853 and he had moved to Georgetown, Ottawa Co. Mich. when his first daughter, Sarah Ellenore Curtis was born Nov. 28, 1856. By time his third son was born, Oscar Benjamin Curtis, jan. 4, 1858 he had moved to near Grand Rapids, Lamont P.O. Tallmadge Twp. Ottawa County, Mich. where he owned his own farm, acreage not known, but it supplied all the needs of a large family thru the years they were raising their family.

They had a large comfortable home, there, as the photo of same is in our possession at this time, showing a team of oxen hitched to a wagon in front of the home, and on this farm all the rest of the children were born and raised, as follows: Cora Belle Curtis, Feb. 16, 1861, George Leslie Curtis, April 22, 1863, William Rushmer, Aug. 12, 1866, John J. June 22, 1868, but died at 4 years of age, Dec. 12, 1872. Mary Lovantia (my Mother) was born the same place near Grand Rapids, Feb. 1, 1871, and youngest child DeWilton Curtis was born, Sept. 6, 1873 same place.

Grandfather Curtis was a Sawyer or Lumberman some of the time during his early life. Was also a fine horseman. oxen were used most of the time for farm work, and the horses were used mostly for transportation. Grandfather Curtis evidently worked in the Lumber Mill prior to the birth of their daughter Ellen, as I recall a story my Mother told me that she learned from her Mother about Grandfather operating a saw mill at that time, but after moving to his own farm he had a full time job operating that, except for the time he was in the Civil War.

He enlisted Aug. 13. 1862 At Grand Rapids, Mich. and we have the record of this. Was in Company "B" 5th Regiment of the Michigan Cavalry Volunteers, commanded by Capt. David Olifont. Was discharged at Leavenworth, Kansas, June 20, 1865. Injured in left knee and hand, deafness in one ear. Also had Catarrh (better known as Sinus trouble) which he contracted near Detroit, Mich. Mar. 1863, result of typhoid fever. Reheumatism contracted near Stevensburg, Virginia, Jan. 1864 camping out in stormy weather. Was treated at St. Mary's Hospital, Detroit from Nov. 1862 to 1863. His family at the time he was in the Service were five children, oldest Cyrus Jerome 10 yrs. old and youngest Cora Belle not quite 2 yrs. old. I heard my Mother say that they had quite difficult times during the time my Grandfather had to be away, but with outside help they managed the farm fairly well. Mother said they raised practically everything they needed on their farm, having an orchard, gardens, all kinds of fowl, hogs, sheep and cattle, mostly for their own use, and of course horses for their transportation. Oh yes, I forgot to say Grandfather supplied his own horse when he enlisted but it was lost at Stevensbury, Virg. Feb. 29, 1864. He was a Corporal and furnished his own equipment as well as his own horse.

Nearly all the boys remained at home before marrying until approximately 30 yrs. or more of age, the girls marrying somewhat younger. the boys evidently felt a sense of their Father needing their help on the large farm, altho in those days girls married young and men not so young, as it was somewhat the custom to be financially established with home, etc. before taking on the responsibilities of married life. At least three of the boys at one time moved to ranches near Big Timber, Montana, and raised their families there and my Father and Mother joined them for a few years prior to moving to Alberta, Canada. The sister Ellen and her husband also moved there too, near her brothers. The daughter Cora moved to Ogden, Utah, her husband was a Railroadman, Conductor. The youngest, the son DeWilton, moved to Logan, Utah.

With all the children married and gone, Grandfather soon sold his farm and moved to Logan, Utah, where his son DeWilton lived. By the way DeWilton was called "Cap" short for Captain, after Grandfather having been in the Service, and this child was born afterwards. They only resided in Logan a few years when Grandmother Sarah Lovantia died on Dec. 14, 1891. Mother then made her home with an Aunt and Uncle. Card was their last name but do not recall their first names. My Mother married my Father, James Conroy Hobbs, May 5, 1893 in the Logan Temple at Logan, Utah. They soon moved to Pocatella, Idaho, where I was born Feb. 9th, 1895. Grandfather Curtis lived with his son DeWilton, "Cap" and his wife until he died Dec. 13, 1902. I wasn't quite 7 years old but I recall Mother coming from her home in Montana and visiting her Father as we were soon to leave for our home in Canada which we did in June 1902 so none of us ever saw him again and I never saw my Grandmother Sarah.

Mother loved the memories of her home so many years on the farm near Grand Rapids, Mich. and use to tell us about many things that happened there. Her brothers use to put her on the horses from the age of about three yrs. old and she learned to ride very well very early. They were very proud of her and when she was still just a girl 14 or 15 maybe 16, they put her on bucking horses where it took three of them to put her on one, and she always rode without accident and never rode astride in her life, as ladies in her day never rode astride, but she claimed it was easier to stay on a bucking horse on a side saddle because of the horn which was practically around one leg than to ride astride and stay on. She always had a good riding horse until she was married and began having a family, from then on she was only allowed her carriage and driving horse, which she often lamented of, but it was the Doctor's orders and that was it.

Well I seem to be getting off Grandfather Curtis story, so will mention a few more things Mother told me of her home life with her parents and then this story will end.

She often talked about the hazel and other nuts they use to gather in the Fall, some wild, and the wild berries and fruit which was canned and dried and told how they dried the corn in those days and put way potatoes and other root vegetables in root cellers and smoked their own hams and bacons, and put up eggs in salt for times when the chickens were moulting. How the boys cut huge chunks of ice on the rivers in the Winter time to put in an ice house and have things cool in hot weather. I can even remember havng ice in that manner in the early days of my life. For any the things they did not raise they bartered, or traded things they had for them, such as sale, spices, etc.