Capt. Burton H Curtis, (USA)

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18187347/burton-h-curtis

A Standard History of Elkhart County, Indiana, Vol II, Abraham E Weaver editor, 1916

Elder Claudius K Curtis. For over thirty years Rev Mr Curtis has been one of the leading representatives in the ministry of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ, not only in Elkhart County but in many sections of the West, and is now a presiding elder of the conference of the church covering Ohio and Indiana.

While his duties have called him to many sections of the country, and he fills one pulpit twice in succession, he has for a number of years had his home on a farm in Union Township of Elkhart County. Though of old American stock, Elder Curtis was born in Waterloo County, Province of Ontario, Canada.

His father was Rev Barton Curtis, who was born in Orange County, New York, about 1806. Grandfather Curtis was also a native of New York State and of English ancestry, and from New York he removed to Canada and became an early settler in the County of Waterloo. Grandfather Curtis was a potter by trade and conducted a pottery in Waterloo County until late in life. He then came to Elkhart County, lived there awhile afterwards moved to Michigan and spent his last days with a son near Detroit.

Rev Barton Curtis also learned the trade of potter and of brick making, and followed those occupations during his youthful days. In 1857 he moved to Indiana, establishing a home in Olive Township of Elkhart County. Here he set up what was probably the first pottery in all that section and made it a useful adjunct to growing civilization.

As a young man he joined the Baptist Church, was made a preacher in the denomination, and served the church and humanity long and faithfully. He was a good speaker, and a man who wielded more than ordinary influence in any community where he lived.

During the Civil war he was appointed chaplain of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his command in the Army of the Potomac and was stationed in the vicinity of Richmond when that city surrendered. Besides his work as chaplain he was also regimental post- master.

Along with his many other duties and responsibilities he superintended the improvement of a good farm in Olive Township, but some years after the war moved to LaGrange County, and bought a home there, which he sold after a few years and moved to Reed City, Michigan, where he died at the age of seventy-three.

Barton Curtis married Elizabeth Coplin, who was born in Waterloo County, Canada, a daughter of Jacob Coplin who probably spent all his life in Canada. Elizabeth Curtis died at the age of seventy- three. The five children whom she reared were Cleora, Leah, Elizabeth, Claudius K and Julia, all of whom are living except Leah.