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         W. L. CURTIS, one of the leading young business men of Louisa County, who is now Station Agent and grain dealer at Fredonia, established business in 1882. During the year 1887 he shipped from Fredonia thirty carloads of cattle, nine of hogs, twenty-seven of corn, six of rye and twelve of oats, while the shipments of this year, 1888, up to August exceed those of the entire year just passed. In the month of January he shipped twenty-five carloads, in the month of March seven were sent out, and in May fourteen loads were shipped, thus showing a greater increase in business, which is still continued. In connection with his other interests he engages in general merchandising, carrying a fine line of dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes. He does the largest business in the place, and well deserves the liberal patronage of the people.

Mr. Curtis is a native of Louisa County, born in Grand View Township, Feb. 8, 1861, and is the fourth in a family of eight children, who were born to S. C. and Harriet (Briggs) Curtis, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Lancashire, England. After their marriage his parents removed to St. Joseph County, Mich., and thence came directly to Louisa County, where they now reside in Concord Township. Our subject was reared upon a farm, and received a liberal education, first attending the graded schools of Columbus Junction, after which he went to the Davenport Business College, from which he was graduated in the winter of 1882. After completing his education he returned to his home and established himself in business at Fredonia, where he has since resided.

On the 20th of June, 1888, in Port Louisa Township, the marriage of W. L. Curtis and Florence E. McDill was celebrated. The lady is a native of Louisa County, and a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Ronalds) McDill, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ohio. They came to Louisa County at an early day, and now reside in Port Louisa Township on a farm which they have improved.

Socially, Mr. Curtis belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Bethlehem Commandery No. 45, of Washington, Iowa; Columbus City Lodge No. 107, and Composite Chapter No. 91, both of Columbus Junction. He holds the office of Senior Deacon in Columbus City Lodge, and is Captain of 2d V. in the Composite Chapter. In his political views he is a Republican, and has held several offices of public trust in the past, among which was Treasurer of the Town Board. Mr. Curtis takes great interest in the promotion of any enterprise which has for its object the public good, and is a young man of fine business ability, who, we predict, will have a most successful future.