David Curtis

As printed in 1882

DAVID CURTIS, farmer, P. 0. New Antioch, born in Virginia, November 7, 1826, is a son of Christopher and Sarah Curtis, natives of Virginia, and his grandfather was Christopher Curtis, who came from Germany when a young man and married Catharine Engle, of Pennsylvania, and soon afterward settled in Bedford County, Virginia, where they died. Christopher, the father of our subject, was born in Bedford County, near Liberty Court House on the Blue Ridge, July 19, 1801; married Sarah J. Turpin in 1820. In October, 1833, they removed to Ohio and settled in Highland County. In March, 1835, they removed into Greene Township, Clinton County, where they lived till their death. His wife died June 17, 1861. By her he had eight children, four now survive — Martha Ann, wife of Richard Morton; David; Sarah Jane, wife of Lewis Oatswarth, and reside in Jay County, Ind., and James C. In 1864, Mr. Curtis married for his second wife Emily Adams, by whom ho had four children, three now living — Thomas, Alexander and Sophronia. Mr. Curtis, when he arrived in Highland County, had only 50 cents left. He had intended to settle in Indiana, but his money gave out and he settled as above stated, and at once commenced in this then new country to make a living and home for his family, and by diligence and economy he succeeded well, and before his death owned 163 acres of land, well improved, with the general comforts of life. He died July 7, 1876. Mr. Curtis was a man of undoubted integrity, and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. He and his first wife joined the Blue Ridge Baptist Church in 1825, and in 1839 joined by letter the Baptist Church of New Vienna and were among the constituent members at its organization. He made the shingles for the roof of the church as his portion in its erection. He died in triumphs of faith, declaring, near his last moments, “ My way is clear.” David, our subject, was a lad of seven years when his father settled in Ohio, and here grew to maturity; was married February 2, 1854, to Martha Jane Truitt, born in Clinton County, Greene Township, September 6, 1836, a daughter of George W. and Abigail Truitt, he a native of Kentucky and she of Clinton County, Ohio. By this union they have had nine children, seven now survive — Allen A, born January 28, 1855; William H., January 14, 1858; James E., July 8, 1863; Frank, May 6,

1866; Lulie, March 2, 1871; George, November 22, 1873, and Lucy, born April 17, 1876. Mr. Curtis first located on the old Truitt farm, adjoining where he now lives. He has made his entire residence since in Greene Township, except one year (1865), during which he lived in Wayne Township, this county. In the spring of 1868, he located on his present place, where he has since resided. In 1874 and 1875, he erected his present substantial buildings and moved into the new house in May, 1875. He has a fine farm and a good home and residence. He now owns 375 acres of some of the best land in Greene Township. In 1854, when they commenced in life and started to housekeeping, they were in debt $50. Their present possessions have all been made by their own industry, except $750 received of their parents — thus showing a life of diligence and economy with their sure result, worthy of imitation.

As printed in The history of Clinton County, Ohio (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.