Pvt. Johnson Asahel Curtis, USA

Mr. Curtis was born in Ohio in 1840 and spent his young days in that state. At the commencement of the war, he enlisted in Co. I, 28th Wisconsin volunteers and served about 4 years. His regiment operated down the Mississippi River and in Texas, and Mr. Curtis saw his share of hard service.

Some years after the war (1873), he moved to Minnesota where he lived 14 years, and for about that period of time he had been an invalid, being unable to do any active work. His ill health being the result of hard service and disease contracted in the service of his country during the war.

Despairing of living much longer in Minnesota, he came with his eldest son, Eddie,* to Sidney, December 12th last, and bought a place on the beach two miles west of town, and proceeded to get the place into shape for the reception of his wife and balance of the family who resided in Minnesota waiting to be sent for. His health rapidly improved from the start and from a helpless invalid, he soon was able to do light work and frequently came to Sidney with a skiff. But he was too ambitious and about 3 weeks ago took a severe cold which settled on his badly diseased lungs, and the end came quickly. The family were telegraphed for and arrived three days before he passed away.

Mr. Curtis was a member of the U.B. Church, also an earnest member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Farnsworth Post No. 78. He leaves a wife and 4 children to mourn his loss. Although being here but a short time, Mr. Curtis had made friends with all and the community realizes with sorrow that they have lost a good citizen.

The funeral took place from the house today. The Grace took a number of friends from Sidney to the house and brought the entire assembly back to Sidney where the remains were laid to rest in the Sidney cemetery, half a mile back of Sidney.

Co. D, 28 Wis. Inf. Name: Johnson Curtis Residence: Cold Spring, Wisconsin Service: Civil War Side Served: Union Enlistment Date: 15 Aug 1862 State Served: Wisconsin Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 15 August 1862. Enlisted in Company D, 28th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 15 Aug 1862. Mustered out Company D, 28th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 23 Aug 1865 at Brownsville, TX.

He was the son of Asahel and Mary Polly (Smith) Curtis.