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 HARLES CURTIS is an extensive farmer
and stock-grower, residing on section 1,
East Oakland Township. He is the sou of
Nicholas and Sarah (Hunt) Curtis, and was born in
this township, Dec. 15, 1841. His parents were
natives of Ohio, where they were engaged in farming. Attracted by the advantages for farming and
stock-raising offered by the fertile State of Illinois
they moved here in 1839. Nicholas Curtis died in
middle life, and his widow is still living. Charles Curtis has been twice married, first in 1864, when he was united to Miss Martha J. Hannar. The home circle was broken by her death, which occurred in January, 1874. She had become the mother of five children, two of whom died in infancy. They were as follows: Sarah R., William, James William, Lucinda, who is the wife of Mr. J. Eads, and Roddy Ellsworth. Mr. Curtis was united in marriage the second time, to Miss Margaret Yearger, the daughter of John Yearger. Her family is of German descent, and her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Like many other citizens of foreign extraction Mr. Yearger cheerfully left his home and business to serve in the Civil War in defense of his country, and while thus engaged contracted a disease from exposure and hardship which resulted in his death. His widow is still living, and in consideration of her husband’s services in the war. she is drawing a small pension. Six children were born of the second marriage of our subject Alfred, O., deceased; John S., Lulie, Ella S., Alva, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Curtis enlisted during the late war in Co. K, 63d Ill. Vol. Inf., and served his country faithfully for over three years. He was mustered in at Jonesboro, Ill., and proceeded at once to Cairo, where he remained three mouths and was then ordered to Corinth. He was engaged in several important battles. He fought at the memorable siege of Vicksburg, and took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, where the cannon thundered and the musketry rattled like hail around him. He was with the army at Huntsville, Ala., preparing for the siege at Atlanta, and he there obtained a thirty days’ furlough. It was on this occasion that he returned home and married his first wife. But he was at his post again, leaving the comforts and pleasures of home at the call of duty, for the hardships and possible death of the battle-field. He marched with Sherman to the sea and on to Washington, from thence to Louisville, Ky., and celebrated the 4th of July at home. He afterward returned to his regiment and was mustered out at Springfield, Ill. Exhausted by hardship and exposure he was an invalid most of the time for two years after his return, and now suffers greatly from rheumatism. He is a member of the G. A. R. Oakland Post No. 188, and is a Republican in politics. Mr. Curtis owns a fine estate of 170 acres of valuable, improved land, upon which in 1844 he erected a substantial farm residence. His house has a large and commodious cellar, and all of its appointments are adapted to home comfort. In stock-growing he has been especially successful in raising the finest breed of hogs. |
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