TOPEKA DAILY CAPITAL Wednesday March 30, 1898
Captain "Jack" Curtis

Captain "Jack" Curtis, the father of Congressman Charles Curtis, died suddenly last Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock at his home six miles out of Newkirk, Oklahoma Territory.
Captain Jack left Topeka for Newkirk about two years ago and has since lived there with his brother. His death was very sudden and last night no word had been received by the family. He had written a letter to his daughter, Mrs Elizabeth Colvin, in the early part of the week in which he said that he and his brother were both well.
At the time of Captain Curtis' death telegrams were sent to both Congressman Curtis and to the family here. The relatives in Topeka failed to receive the telegram and the first word they received of the death of Captain Curtis was at 2 o'clock yesterday morning, when a reporter for the Capital went to the Curtis home to ascertain whether or not they knew the particulars of his death. His mother did not then tell her granddaughter and she knew nothing of it until she read yesterday morning's Capital. She could scarcely credit the report and while she still had the paper in her hand, a messenger boy arrived with the delayed telegram.
Congressman Curtis, upon the receipt of the news of his father's death immediately telegraphed A.A. Hurd to make arrangements for having the remains sent to Topeka. He also sent a telegram Harry Safford, asking him to arrange to receive the body. As Mr. Safford was in Denver, his wife showed the telegram to Archie Williams, who has made arrangements to care for the body upon its arrival here.
Captain Curtis was born in Vermillion county, Indiana; and lived there until 1855. when he came to Topeka. He was a participant in the border war which so aroused Eastern Kansas in the early days. He was an ardent Free State man.
He has been married five times, and one of his wives, is still living, Mrs Rachel (Funk) Hatch, is still living. His first wife was Miss Isabelle Jane Quick and their son John, is now a brakeman on the Rock Island railroad. Captain Curtis was divorced from his first wife and later married Helen Pappan. From this union two children were born, Congressman Charles Curtis and Mrs Elizabeth Colvin. After his wife's death, Captain Curtis married Miss Rachel Funk, and after being divorced from her, married Miss Lucy (Lou) Jay, who was the mother of Miss Permelia (Dollie) Curtis.
Captain Curtis was the eldest of fourteen children, eleven of whom are still living. Of these, Mrs Cynthia Smith, Mrs Eunice Wise and Mrs Elizabeth Brown are residents of Topeka, Kansas. Charles Curtis lives in Lawrence, Kansas and William Curtis, in California. The mother of the family is still living at the old Curtis house in North Topeka and is 91 years old.
The arrangements of the funeral have not yet been made but the body will probably be interred in the Curtis Cemetery north of North Topeka. Congressman Curtis and Miss Dollie Curtis left Washington yesterday at noon and expected in Topeka on Thursday. The remains will probably arrive in the city this evening. They will be taken to the home of Congressman Curtis to await his home coming.
Capt. O.A. Curtis served with Co. F 15th Kans. Cav. during the Civil War.