HARRY CURTIS

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 795-796:

Harry Curtis

(Farmer, Section 26, Post-office, Bronaugh).

   Mr. Curtis is the owner of an excellently improved farm in this township, and it is managed in a manner which at once stamps him as the successful agriculturist.  And be it said to his credit, this success has been obtained only in a straightforward, honorable way.  Born at Fordingbridge, in the County of Hampshire, England, March 5, 1820, he is the son of the late Thomas H. Curtis, also a native of that country, and a Government official in the Internal Revenue Department.  His (Harry’s) mother was Miss Nancy Read before her marriage, and her father was a large manufacturer of calico prints in England, where she, too, was born.  Young Harry was brought up as a farmer’s boy and educated in the science and principles of agriculture, the breeding, rearing and management of stock, agricultural chemistry, etc., under able tutors in the vicinity of his birthplace, where he continued to remain until 1863.  Up to this time he had closely followed his chosen avocation and to this his attention has been directed since locating on this side of the Atlantic.  In the year mentioned he emigrated to America and settled at Woodstock, County Oxford, West Canada, from whence after a residence of some years he moved to the States in 1871, settling in Vernon county, Mo., the place of his abode for over fifteen years.  His homestead above referred to, and to which he so energetically devotes himself embraces 160 acres, the improvements of which are second to none in the locality.  In 1863 Mr. Curtis married Miss Lillie J. Bruce, of Scotch parentage, who died in this State in 1873, leaving six children: Christopher F. H., Willie F. H., Nancy R., Lillie E., Harry A. and Idella May.  In July, 1886, Mr. C. was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna M. Ellis, née Pearce, originally from Ohio.  She has three children by a former marriage.  Mr. Curtis is a man well posted on the current news of the day, and by close reading and research has become better informed than the generality of men.  He is reliable to the letter, it being known of him that when a promise is made to which he may be a party he never fails to keep his part.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

A great-great-grandson of Harry Curtis provided details of his research on Harry Curtis prior to Harry's move from England to Canada.   Philip Henry Goater shares that Harry Curtis originally married Caroline Welch in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England in 1850.  Harry and Caroline had six children.  Harry was a farmer, courtesy of loans guaranteed by his father-in-law who was a boot maker in Fordingbridge.  In 1863 Harry sold his farm, abandoned his wife and children, and left England with the money, which bankrupted his father-in-law. Other researchers wishing to contact Mr. Goater can contact him through his email on the Surnames page under Curtis.

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