CURTIS, ELMER E.

CURTIS, GOODGE, TURNER, BURKE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/12/2004 at 15:43:19

Biography reproduced from page 118 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

General farming and stock-raising claim the attention of Elmer E. Curtis, who was born in Wheatland, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of May, 1872, and is a son of Elias and Fanny (Goodge) Curtis. The parents are also natives of the Keystone state, whence they removed to Dallas county, Iowa. They resided there until 1895, when they went to Guthrie county, where the father bought and improved a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are both living and to them have been born five children: Lillie, the wife of G. W. Turner, of Bennett, Colorado; Elmer E., our subject; Albert L., who is deceased; H. L., who is a resident of Grant township; and R. L., whose home is in Springfield township, this county. The father served in the Civil war for four years, and was confined in the Confederate prison for six months at Salisbury, South Carolina, and at Belle Isle.

The education of Elmer E. Curtis was acquired in the common schools of Iowa. Reared on a farm, he was early trained to agricultural pursuits and during the summer months his time was largely occupied in plowing, planting and harvesting, at an age when the average youth thinks he should be allowed to spend his vacation in playing. He remained at home until he was twenty-four, when he came to Springfield township and bought forty acres of land on section 17, on which he has since made his home. His mother owns one hundred and twenty acres adjoining his place which he cultivates in connection with his own tract.

In 1901, Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Hattie Burke, and they have become the parents of the following children: Ethel Frances, Roland, Donald and Alvie. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are members of the United Brethren church and fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a republican in politics. He has for four years been serving as trustee of the township and he is also chairman of the board of health, discharging his duties in both connections with efficiency.