In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1910) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910), The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882)
JOHN C. CURNUTT, proprietor of livery, was born December 29, 1843, in Platte County, Missouri. He has lived with his mother principally during life, caring for her in her declining years. He married Miss Louisa M. Patten, January 8, 1865. They had three children: William R., Martha D. and Samuel Preston. Mrs. Curnutt died May 4, 1872. Mr. C. moved into Barnard in October, 1880, and bought an interest in the liver)' business, which lie is now conducting in a creditable manner.
As printed in The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JOHN C. CURNUTT.
Among the native sons of Missouri who have had an active part in the business and agricultural affairs of Nodaway county must be numbered the subject of this sketch, who owns and operates a fine farm in Grant township. He is descended from worthy pioneer stock and has been an eye-witness of the wonderful development which has transformed this section of the country from a wilderness to one of the most advanced and progressive sections of this great commonwealth.
Mr. Curnutt was born on December 29, 1843. in Platte county, Missouri, and is a son of Preston and Elizabeth A. (Campbell) Curnutt. The father and mother were both natives of the state of Tennessee, the former born on October 13, 1818, and the latter on December 24, 1818. They were reared and married in their native state and in 1839 they came to Platte county, Missouri, where they remained until 1844, when they came to Nodaway county. The father pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14 and began the improvement of a farm, but his labors were cut short by his death, at the early age of twenty-eight years. Preston Curnutt was an intelligent and well educated man and engaged in teaching school in both Platte and
Nodaway counties, among his pupils in this county having been Judge Myers, who paid his tuition with a hive of bees. Elizabeth Curnutt died in 1890, at the home of her son. in Barnard. To these parents were born four children, Pheriba Thomas J., William and John C.. of which number only the two last named are living, William being a resident of Barnard, where he is identified with the Farmers’ Co-operative Lumber Company.
John C. Curnutt was but a lad when his father died and he was reared by his widowed mother, receiving a fair education in the common schools, the school house which he attended having stood where his present residence now stands, the building having been also used for church purposes. After his marriage, in 1865, he remained a year with his mother, then moved to Buchanan county, moving again soon afterwards to Johnson county, this state, and then back to Buchanan county. I11 1873 Mr. Curnutt returned to Nodaway county and for several years engaged in the operation of rented land with fair success. In 1880 he moved to Barnard and engaged in the drug business, with which he was identified for fifteen years, and then, in 1894. he bought eighty-two and a half acres of land in section 13. where he has since made his home. He has here been engaged in general farming and his efforts have been rewarded with a fair measure of success. In 1895 he erected a comfortable and attractive residence and in other ways the place has been permanently and substantially improved, he being now numbered among the leading farmers of Grant township.
Mr. Curnutt has been married twice. On January 8, 1865. he was married to Louisa M. Patton, the daughter of Robert and Lucinda Patton, of this county, whose farm was a part of that now owned by Mr. Curnutt. Mrs. Curnutt died on May 4. 1872. and on September 30. 1885. Mr. Curnutt married Margaret A. Conlin, the daughter of Francis and Dorothy J. Conlin, who were among the early pioneers of Nodaway county and in whose family were nine children, all of whom married in this county. Mr. Conlin saw military service during the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Curnutt were born five children, namely: Grace Agnes, deceased; Elizabeth J., the wife of Clyde Turner; Hazel, Ruth and Thelma M., who remain at home and are attending school at Barnard.
In politics, Mr. Curnutt has given a stanch support to the Democratic party and has taken an active part in local public affairs, having served two terms as township trustee, collector of taxes and school director. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Barnard, to which they give an earnest support. Mr. Curnutt enjoys a splendid reputation through out the community because of his high character and the stand he has always taken for the best interests of Grant township.
As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Preston Curnutt
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.