William Nelson Curtis

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93061798/william-n_-curtis

Created by: Aavedt Added: 4 Jul 2012 Find A Grave Memorial 93061798

William N. Curtis, now living retired in the City of Menomonie after an active and successful career as farmer and business man, was born in the town of Spring Brook, Dunn County, on Nov. 6, 1861, son of Hiram S. and Julia (Tuttle) Curtis. William acquired his education in district schools in the towns of Spring Brook and Weston, and until he was 24 years old lived with his parents, assisting his father to improve the several farms which the family successively occupied during that period. He then started in for himself, buying an 80-acre farm in Section 32, town of Spring Brook.

There were some buildings on it and some of the prairie land had been broken. For three years Mr. Curtis remained on that place. Then selling it, he bought 40 acres of timber land in the town of Menormonie, a small portion of which tract had been cleared. There he erected a dwelling and farmed for a few years, after which he sold that place also, and from his father-in-law, Silas Blodgett, purchased an improved farm of 80 acres in the same town. There he farmed until 1914, for some years carrying on both diversified crop farming and dairying, but for the last 12 giving practically all his attention to dairying, keeping grade Durham cattle, besides having a large flock of sheep. He was a stockholder in the Downsville creamery. So successful was he that by the end of that period he was recognized as one of Dunn County's leading and representative farmers. When he sold the farm in 1914 and retired he bought his present residence at 2120 South Broadway, the site comprising four lots. He has since made this place his home and has remodeled and greatly improved the house.

In 1920 Mr. Curtis, with two of his brothers, Walter and Giles, bought the Lucas building on Main Street, Menomonie, and conducted a farm machinery business until the spring of 1923, when he and his brothers sold the business and leased the building to A. L. Iitten, who is now operating it. While on the farm Mr. Curtis served for nine years as clerk of his school district.

William was married Aug. 5, 1885, to Maryetta Blodgett, who was born in the town of Spring Brook, this county, on Feb. 26, 1859, daughter of Silas and Lavina (Stowell) Blodgett. The children of this marriage are as follows: 1. Pearl Ethel, b. Sept. 18, 1888; 2. Sylvia Evelyn, b. Dec. 23, 1890; 3. Ora Fay, b. July 24, 1893 4. Lavina Julia, b. March 30, 1896; 5. Effie Lois, b.Jan. 24, 1898; and 6. Ruby Esther, b. April 1, 1902.

Mr. Curtis is a man with a good record as farmer, business man and American citizen. Always industrious, he is also far-sighted and quick to take advantage of changing conditions; but he never took an unfair advantage of his neighbor, and in building up the edifice of his own prosperity he also helped to build up that of the county in which up to the present time he has spent his life, and where he is widely known and as widely respected. His children, receiving good parental care and the best moral training, have reflected honor on the family name.

Source: Curtiss-Wedge, F.; Jones, Geo. O. (ed.) / "History of Dunn County, Wisconsin" (1925) pages 505-506.

Family Members Parents

	 Hiram Sedgwick Curtis 1834–1908

Julia Ann Tuttle Curtis 1838–1906
Spouse

	 Marietta Blodgett Curtis 1859–1944

Siblings

	 Preston L Curtis 1857–1863

Luna Lovica Curtis Irvine 1860–1936
Elbridge Hiram Curtis 1864–1923
Adella Curtis Whittier 1867–1905
Martha Ethelyn Curtis Stavrum 1873–1940

	 Minnie Curtis Langdon 1876–1954

Arlo S. Curtis 1878–1895
Children

	 Pearl Ethel Curtis Carver 1888–1962

Sylvia Evelyn Curtis Knippel 1890–1983

Ora Fay Curtis Burton 1893–1978

	 Lavina Julia Curtis 1896–1911

Effie Louise Curtis Brunn 1898–1990
Ruby Curtis Johnson 1902–2000