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Theodore Tupper Curtiss

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Theodore Tupper Curtiss

Birth
Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois, USA
Death
24 May 1954 (aged 83)
St. Louis City, Missouri, USA
Burial
Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois, USA Add to Map
Plot
201
Memorial ID
View Source
Theodore Tupper Curtiss, of St. Joseph, Mo., died Monday morning at a hospital in St. Louis.
Mr. Curtiss was born at Waverly, September 8, 1870, the son of Theodore T. and Augusta Tupper Curtiss.
On October 14, 1896, he was married to Isabel Paxton, of Jacksonville, and they resided here until 1902, when they moved to St. Joseph, Mo., where he has since resided. He was preceded in death by his wife October 24, 1941.
Surviving are two sons, Paxton of St. Louis and George of California, and two daughters, Edith L. Curtiss of St. Joseph, Mo., and Mrs. Elizabeth Kibler of Columbia, Mo.
Mr. Curtiss was a cousin of Frank H. Curtiss of this city.
Mr. Curtiss became a member of Waverly Masonic Lodge in early lie, later transferring his membership to St. Joseph Lodge No. 78. He had received his 50 year Masonic membership pin.
Funeral services were held at the Alexander Funeral Home in St. Louis Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.
The body was brought to Waverly for burial in East cemetery, where graveside services were held at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. W. Henry, of Waverly.

According to Theodore's death Cirt., he was a letter carrier for the post office. His daughter Edith was the informant. The Death Cirt. can be viewed at the Missouri Digital Heritage web site.

Son of Theodore Everett & Augusta L Tupper Curtiss, husband of Isabel E Paxton Curtiss, married October 14, 1896 in Morgan County, Illinois.

Father of Francis Augusta Curtiss, Edith Louise Curtiss, Theodore Paxton Curtiss, Elizabeth Persis Curtiss Kibler, George Rutherford Curtiss.

March 21, 1906
Dear Cousin "Thedie"
Your letter was a surprise & was more a pleasure to us. We too hear of you in some round about way occasionally but that isn't quite like "first hand" news- so I hasten (?) to thank you. Tho' I fear I cannot help you very much in your research for family history. It is easy enough to know & tell a thing which is very hard to prove. I don't ever know that I could prove that Eleazer Curtiss was my great grandfather, tho I presume the town records are sufficiently complete for that. There seems no reasonable doubt but Eleazer was a Major "in good & regular standing". It is on his tombstone. The fact that Grandpa Augustine - his - went with him "in the wars" as his waiter - would indicate that he must have had at least the rank of Capt. - as would his sword- but I can not put my finger on the documentary proof required - tho I think we have the book from which your informant quoted. I presume that is the same Eleazer but as the last date is '77 there was plenty of time for promotion after that before the close of the war - Uncle Frnak says the record is probably in the War Department at Washington, D. C. and that you could get it by applying to your Congressman or the Adjutant Gen. Your Congressman would probably look it up, or cause it to be done with out much expense to you. We have one who seems "powerful" friendly - perhaps I can coax Winer to write to him - I well Remember Grandpa Augustines widow- dear Grandma & every body s "Aunt Lodema". After Aunt Louisas death she came to our house to live & died there 3 years later. Dec, 1857 aged 91. She drew a pension of ($96.00 a year. I think) & I have seen her sign the voucher - or what ever it was "Lodema Curtiss" widow of Augustine - At least that is as I recall it but I was only 12 or 13 at the time. So there may have been the middle initial S.-tho I doubt it. I can think now just how her signature looked - very poorly written was then I thought I could do it better - the last time she only touched the ends of the pen as some one else wrote her name. Don't talk of "gall". Was hesitate to write me whenever you think I may be able to help you. I shall be very glad for any excuse which prompts you to write to us- & will be glad to tell any thing I know am always glad to know that somebody is interested in our Curtiss genealogy - * hope some day before too long someone will look it all up & write it down for the benefit of those who come after. It will be a large task even now & grows larger every year. You better preserve all passable items & may be some day you will have leisure to make our Book.
Am glad to know that you and yours are so pleasantly situated & that you have so safe & paying a business. I never watched a carrier on his rounds without thinking - I would like to do that. It is so untechnical & must be very interesting. I remember Grace Gilbert well. She is about Agnes' age & I think was born the same day as Kittie Curtiss. Please remember me to her if it comes convenient. Those that are left of our Family in Warren are all well as usual at present. We are all connected by telephone - so can know one anothers affairs as never before- & we all enjoy it. Even aunt Jennett in New Haven Ave can speak to any evening for 15cts. but of course we do not call her up as often as those in Town. Uncle Austin is on our line so we don't even know to go to Central to talk with them. He & Aunt Fannie are alone this winter - except the man "Mills" who helps with the work. I sent them your letter & they send a great deal of love to you"& Belle & the Bay's & Aunt Louise"- Uncle Frank is an old man, 84 & rather feeble put usually is out every day to help about the chores & has been here twice this winter. Aunt Jennett is very well but quite lame. So she doesn't get about much. Alice means to bring her to the old place here this year as soon as the weather is warm enough. She feels more at home here - but of course she cannot stay alone & Alice can't be here all the time & it is very difficult to find the right person to be with her. Alice's son Charlie who was so very ill. So long since last Fall - is better now & hopes to be at work again soon. We are much as usual. Miner still quite "hearty" - but growing old & finds the farm work an elephant on his hands since Rob left us - but by hiring some, renting some - was being to hard himself & letting a good deal go undone - we get along after a fashion. I am not much use - but not so "bad off" as sometime. Agnes is teaching the College Farms school. & boards at home- her health is better than for years- but not perfect yet - rob is with Will Beeman in Liver b------in New Milford & thinks they are doing fairly well, better at least then he could as on the farm. He is home after - but- wants to stay very busy - but we want to be thankful he is so near. With much love for you & yours
Cousin Lucy C. Strong.

Theodore's aunt, Miranda Curtiss, (His father's sister) Married Martin Strong, Lucy is her daughter and author of this letter.

1880 Census; Morgan, Illinois
FHL Film: 1254238; NA Film Number: T9-0238
Page Number: 332B
Theodore T. CURTISS, Son, S, Male, W, 9, IL, --, CT, MA
------
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/marriage.html
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
CURTISS, THEODORE T -- PAXTON, ISABEL E; 10/14/1896; D/ 136, 6936; MORGAN
------
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmorgan/cemetery/waverly-east/index.htm
Morgan County Illinois
Waverly East Cemetery
Waverly Township T13N R8W 3rdPM
W½-NW1/4, Section 12
CURTISS, Theodore Tupper 8 Sept 1870 - 24 May 1954
Theodore Tupper Curtiss, of St. Joseph, Mo., died Monday morning at a hospital in St. Louis.
Mr. Curtiss was born at Waverly, September 8, 1870, the son of Theodore T. and Augusta Tupper Curtiss.
On October 14, 1896, he was married to Isabel Paxton, of Jacksonville, and they resided here until 1902, when they moved to St. Joseph, Mo., where he has since resided. He was preceded in death by his wife October 24, 1941.
Surviving are two sons, Paxton of St. Louis and George of California, and two daughters, Edith L. Curtiss of St. Joseph, Mo., and Mrs. Elizabeth Kibler of Columbia, Mo.
Mr. Curtiss was a cousin of Frank H. Curtiss of this city.
Mr. Curtiss became a member of Waverly Masonic Lodge in early lie, later transferring his membership to St. Joseph Lodge No. 78. He had received his 50 year Masonic membership pin.
Funeral services were held at the Alexander Funeral Home in St. Louis Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.
The body was brought to Waverly for burial in East cemetery, where graveside services were held at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. W. Henry, of Waverly.

According to Theodore's death Cirt., he was a letter carrier for the post office. His daughter Edith was the informant. The Death Cirt. can be viewed at the Missouri Digital Heritage web site.

Son of Theodore Everett & Augusta L Tupper Curtiss, husband of Isabel E Paxton Curtiss, married October 14, 1896 in Morgan County, Illinois.

Father of Francis Augusta Curtiss, Edith Louise Curtiss, Theodore Paxton Curtiss, Elizabeth Persis Curtiss Kibler, George Rutherford Curtiss.

March 21, 1906
Dear Cousin "Thedie"
Your letter was a surprise & was more a pleasure to us. We too hear of you in some round about way occasionally but that isn't quite like "first hand" news- so I hasten (?) to thank you. Tho' I fear I cannot help you very much in your research for family history. It is easy enough to know & tell a thing which is very hard to prove. I don't ever know that I could prove that Eleazer Curtiss was my great grandfather, tho I presume the town records are sufficiently complete for that. There seems no reasonable doubt but Eleazer was a Major "in good & regular standing". It is on his tombstone. The fact that Grandpa Augustine - his - went with him "in the wars" as his waiter - would indicate that he must have had at least the rank of Capt. - as would his sword- but I can not put my finger on the documentary proof required - tho I think we have the book from which your informant quoted. I presume that is the same Eleazer but as the last date is '77 there was plenty of time for promotion after that before the close of the war - Uncle Frnak says the record is probably in the War Department at Washington, D. C. and that you could get it by applying to your Congressman or the Adjutant Gen. Your Congressman would probably look it up, or cause it to be done with out much expense to you. We have one who seems "powerful" friendly - perhaps I can coax Winer to write to him - I well Remember Grandpa Augustines widow- dear Grandma & every body s "Aunt Lodema". After Aunt Louisas death she came to our house to live & died there 3 years later. Dec, 1857 aged 91. She drew a pension of ($96.00 a year. I think) & I have seen her sign the voucher - or what ever it was "Lodema Curtiss" widow of Augustine - At least that is as I recall it but I was only 12 or 13 at the time. So there may have been the middle initial S.-tho I doubt it. I can think now just how her signature looked - very poorly written was then I thought I could do it better - the last time she only touched the ends of the pen as some one else wrote her name. Don't talk of "gall". Was hesitate to write me whenever you think I may be able to help you. I shall be very glad for any excuse which prompts you to write to us- & will be glad to tell any thing I know am always glad to know that somebody is interested in our Curtiss genealogy - * hope some day before too long someone will look it all up & write it down for the benefit of those who come after. It will be a large task even now & grows larger every year. You better preserve all passable items & may be some day you will have leisure to make our Book.
Am glad to know that you and yours are so pleasantly situated & that you have so safe & paying a business. I never watched a carrier on his rounds without thinking - I would like to do that. It is so untechnical & must be very interesting. I remember Grace Gilbert well. She is about Agnes' age & I think was born the same day as Kittie Curtiss. Please remember me to her if it comes convenient. Those that are left of our Family in Warren are all well as usual at present. We are all connected by telephone - so can know one anothers affairs as never before- & we all enjoy it. Even aunt Jennett in New Haven Ave can speak to any evening for 15cts. but of course we do not call her up as often as those in Town. Uncle Austin is on our line so we don't even know to go to Central to talk with them. He & Aunt Fannie are alone this winter - except the man "Mills" who helps with the work. I sent them your letter & they send a great deal of love to you"& Belle & the Bay's & Aunt Louise"- Uncle Frank is an old man, 84 & rather feeble put usually is out every day to help about the chores & has been here twice this winter. Aunt Jennett is very well but quite lame. So she doesn't get about much. Alice means to bring her to the old place here this year as soon as the weather is warm enough. She feels more at home here - but of course she cannot stay alone & Alice can't be here all the time & it is very difficult to find the right person to be with her. Alice's son Charlie who was so very ill. So long since last Fall - is better now & hopes to be at work again soon. We are much as usual. Miner still quite "hearty" - but growing old & finds the farm work an elephant on his hands since Rob left us - but by hiring some, renting some - was being to hard himself & letting a good deal go undone - we get along after a fashion. I am not much use - but not so "bad off" as sometime. Agnes is teaching the College Farms school. & boards at home- her health is better than for years- but not perfect yet - rob is with Will Beeman in Liver b------in New Milford & thinks they are doing fairly well, better at least then he could as on the farm. He is home after - but- wants to stay very busy - but we want to be thankful he is so near. With much love for you & yours
Cousin Lucy C. Strong.

Theodore's aunt, Miranda Curtiss, (His father's sister) Married Martin Strong, Lucy is her daughter and author of this letter.

1880 Census; Morgan, Illinois
FHL Film: 1254238; NA Film Number: T9-0238
Page Number: 332B
Theodore T. CURTISS, Son, S, Male, W, 9, IL, --, CT, MA
------
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/marriage.html
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
CURTISS, THEODORE T -- PAXTON, ISABEL E; 10/14/1896; D/ 136, 6936; MORGAN
------
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmorgan/cemetery/waverly-east/index.htm
Morgan County Illinois
Waverly East Cemetery
Waverly Township T13N R8W 3rdPM
W½-NW1/4, Section 12
CURTISS, Theodore Tupper 8 Sept 1870 - 24 May 1954


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