LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 34

WILLIAM CURTIS

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 13, 2017

        William Curtis was one of the leading men of his day. He was born in Grandview township, February 8, 1881, and was the fourth in a family of eight children, born to H. C. and Harriett (Briggs) Curtis. The former a native of Lancashire, England.

        W. L. Curtis was reared on a farm and received his education in the local school, then went on to Business College in Davenport, Iowa, where he graduated in 1882. After completing his education, he...

Pg 35

... returned it Fredonia and established himself in business.

        He was station agent here and was engaged in general merchandising, and dealer in grain and shipping business.

        During the year 1887, he shipped from Fredonia, 30 carloads of cattle, 9 of hogs, 27 of corn, 6 of rye, 12 of oats and the shipments of 1888, up to August, exceeded those of the entire year previous. June 20, 1888, he was united in marriage with Florence E. Dill, also a naive of Louisa county. Three children graced this union; Belle who died a the age of two years, Florence E. is head of the physical education of Indiana State college, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Ronald, who died at the age of 15 ears.

        Mrs. Curtis passed away in August, 1897, and for several years after that, Mr. Curtis made his home in Columbus Junction.

        Then in September, 1906, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage with Miss Etla Kelley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Kelley of Columbus Junction. They spent most of their married life in Columbus Junction, where Mr. Curtis passed away in March 19, 1928.

        He took great interest in the promotion of any enterprise which had for its object the public good, and was a man of fine business ability. Mrs. Curtis makes her home in Columbus Junction with her sister, Effie Kelley.

        Mrs. Curtis was a school teacher, and has had many amusing experiences in the early years of teaching.