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.

Antique Photograph Album, image #31

I wish that I knew who this person was!!!

The photographer was Dr. H. Baker in Coldwater, Michigan. The card was cream color with a gold double border and rounded corners. This was the first carte de visite style photograph in the album. There were four carte de visite pictures per page.

The Curtis family lived in Michigan for many years before migrating to Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Since the family lived in Michigan at one time, this person could be a friend or relative.

We need to try and date the picture based upon the clothing and also the dates that the photographer had his business open in Coldwater.

Antique Photograph Album, image #32

This couple looks like they could be really important to the Curtis family history. I sure wish that I knew who they were!!!

The photographer's imprint was: L. W. Schellhous, in Cold Water, Michigan.

This was a carte de visite style picture, cream card and a gold double border.

The album did not have a picture in the 33rd slot, so the next one posted to this blog is picture #34

Antique Photograph Album, image #37

The name of this child was unknown until the album page was scanned, enlarged, and more contrast added. On the page was written "Mabel Chatterley, cousin."

Unfortunately, we do not know anything more about this "cousin." The Chatterley name does not appear in any of our Curtis family records - at least not yet. Perhaps after more research into the collateral family lines on our Curtis family we will discover exactly how this child fits into our family tree.

The photographer was Barrows at 55 West Bridge St., Grand Rapids, Michigan. The carte de visite style card was light cream with rounded corners. Just knowing that this photograph was taken in Grand Rapids, Michigan offers hope that more records and extended family members to our Curtis family will soon be found.

Antique Photograph Album, image #41

Another unknown identification. This one is tragic because the photographer's studio was in Three Rivers, Michigan. Three Rivers was in St. Joseph county, the same place where Benjamin Kingman Curtis and Sarah Lavantia Card were married. Sarah's father and several of her siblings also died in St. Joseph county. Sarah also had siblings who were married with children of their own, so this photo could easily be one of Sarah's niece's.

The photographer was Udell, whose studio was located in Three Rivers, Michigan. The carte de visite style card had rounded corners.

We might be able to date this picture based upon the time period that Udell had his studio in Three Rivers, also the child's clothing and the carte de visite style photograph history.

Antique Photograph Album, image #43

Who is this man?
Was he a friend or family member?

This carte de visite picture was taken at the Jackson's Photograph Rooms on 38 Canal Street, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Curtis family lived in the Grand Rapids area for about twenty years, from the 1860s to the 1880s.

Antique Photograph Album, image #44

This is the second carte de visite photograph in the Curtis family album that was taken at the Jackson's Photograph Studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The name of this man is unknown, but he is younger than the man in the other photo that was also taken at Jackson's.