Husband of Laura Ann Sackett Curtiss and his second wife Augusta L Tupper Curtiss.
Father of Theodore Tupper Curtiss.
Son of Homer and Charry Curtiss.
Theodore was the first Curtiss to leave Warren Ct and move to Waverly Ill. (with Elisha and Deacon Tanner) More family followed in in the two years to come. According to one letter he married Laura Sackett on March 9, 1837. In another letter they traveled to Ohio to visit her family. It was in an Ohio antique shop that these photos were discovered in 1999 and posted on the web by Ford & Nagle. I found them there in Sept 2006.
Theodore writes: -- Feb. 4th,1836
There is something very animating to see a country that is in infancy grow, when it is so perceptible and should it continue in the same ratio for ten years to come as the past, it will no longer need to be called an infant, as in that time it will acquire the strength of a giant. ------I have engaged to take a piece of land of which there is one hundred twenty acres, and have written to Father that I should like to have him assist me to $200.00.
The girls say you (his sister Miranda) must lay out your school money in land. As soon as you have a hundred dollars it will secure you eighty acres.
Sabbath returns the same as at home, yet there is not as much to distinguish it from other days. As there is no preaching within twenty miles, we usually hold a meeting at the Deacon's and have one of Mr. Finney's sermons read and in the evening hold a prayer meeting. Twice we have had preaching near by. I hope the time will soon come when there will be regular preaching.
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
CURTISS, T.E. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 12, P.O. Waverly. The above named gentleman was the second child of Homer and Charry Curtiss. Homer Curtiss, who is now in his 93d year, and who is an honored citizen of this county, was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and there married Miss Charry Everitt. The subject of this sketch was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, May, 1813; there he received his education and followed farming; in 1835, Mr. C. make a visit to Morgan County, Illinois, and well pleased at the flattering prospects on the broad prairies of the West, he there determined to locate; returning to the East, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sackett, a daughter of Justus and Polly Sackett; in 1837 Mr. Curtiss again wended his way to Illinois, locating in Morgan County, where he entered forty acres of land, and purchased one hundred and twenty; his possessions, at that time, were limited, but he gained slowly, year by year, and by judicious investments and rare judgment, he is today one of our most substantial farmers; and has arrived at his present prosperous condition through indomitable will; owing some four hundred acres in the vicinity of Waverly. Mr. Curtiss now lives to enjoy the fruits of his early labor; the first wife of Mr. C. died in 1867, the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta L. Tupper, a daughter of Martyn Tupper, a native of Connecticut. For a period of four years Mr. Curtiss conducted a successful business at Waverly, firm name, Rose, Curtiss & Co.; this honorable firm were well known to the citizens of this county; although now retired from active labor, and living on his farm property, the energy that marked his youth, is still a distinguishing trait of his character. Mr. Curtiss is president of the Bank of Waverly.
http://johnlisle.org/sackett/tng/getperson.php?personID=I3029&tree=sackett_main
Waverly Journal Enterprise, Feb. 16, 1901
Uncle Theodore Curtiss
A Biographical Sketch of This Noble Man's Life
Theodore E. Curtiss was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in the town of Warren, May 23, 1813, and settled in Morgan county in the spring of 1835. His ancestors for many generations resided in the New England states, where they came from England. His great grand father was an officer inn the Revolutionary war, and his son, Augustine, was his aide during the same war, and subsequently drew a pension therefor.
Uncle Theodore's father, after marriage resided in Connecticut until he was fifty years of age, when in 1837 he came to Illinois, passing his remaining days in Waverly. He died in the year 1886, lacking but a little over a year of rounding out a full century. His wife having died ten years previous. They were the parents of five children: Miranda, who married M. B. Strong, and resides in Connecticut; Theodore E., the subject of this sketch; Augustine A.; Lodenia, who married J. R. Godfrey and is a resident of Godfrey, Ill., and Frederick who resides in Sangamon county. There had been no deaths in the family until a few months ago and the youngest child was over fifty years old when the mother died.
Uncle Theodore passed his boyhood days on a farm, and received his limited education that was generally obtained in the common schools of th day. He resided in his native town until 1835 when he came to Illinois and purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved. In 1836 he returned to Connecticut and the following year was married to Laura A. Sackett. Immediately after marriage they came to Illinois and settled on the farm he had purchased the previous year. His parents, two brothers and one sister also returned with him, the journey was made via New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and the Ohio river, occupying three weeks. In the year 1835 Waverly was platted and Uncle Theodore assisted in the work, he having come to Illinois with Joseph A. Tanner, father of Dr. Tanner of Illinois College. Mr. Curtis gave his entire attention to farming until 1852 when in addition to his farming interests he was interested in a general store with his brother, Fred Curtiss and J. W. Ross. The business continued under the firm name for about five years when Theodore sold his interest and he again turned his entire attention to farming and thus continued until a few years ago when he became interested in the Bank of Waverly and with its failure he lost the greater portion of the property which he accumulated during his younger days. In the summer of 1866 he was called upon to mourn the death of his faithful companion and on Dec. 22, 1868 he was united in marriage to Augusta L. Tupper, of Mass., and to this union was born one son, T. T. Curtiss, who still resides at the home residence in this city. Mrs. Curtiss died Dec. 31, 1896, and her sister, Mrs. Louise Tupper, who has made her home with the family for several years, has kept house for Mr. Curtiss since that time.
Last Thursday he fell asleep to wake in heaven.
On Saturday we attended his funeral after a prayer and some appropriate and beautiful scripture reading by the Rev. W. S. Bugbey, Dr. Fairbank, his former pastor and beloved friend, spoke of his life and character. He said that faithfulness seemed to him the one characteristic of his whole life. He never laid claim to a large number of talents but such as the Master intrusted him with, were faithfully cared for and increased.
Like Abraham, he obeyed the voice of God, and with unfaltering footsteps walked onward until like Paul, he finished his course and received the crown.
To us who knew him best those things are absolutely true. His life was a constant reproach to us who look outward with less serious eyes.
His benefactions were many as long as his means allowed, and his right hand often scattered mercies that his left hand knew not of. In his sermon last Sabbath Mr. Bugbey compared the journey of Abraham across the plains of Syria to Palestine to the journey of the sons of New England across the intervening states to the fair prairies of the west, and as Abraham died with the vision unfulfilled, yet called the friend of God, so Theodore Curtiss journeyed with his bride from the rocks and hills of home to this fair land and in his old age when the beautiful picture of comfort and plenty, proved but a mirage and vanished from his sight, there was no murmuring, only regret that he had nothing more to give. One of the last things I heard him say was: "I began the world with nothing and I can leave it with nothing, it is all right."
"He met his Pilot face to face
When he passed o'er the Bar."
With the passing from our midst of Uncle Theodore, Waverly mourns the loss of one of the foremost citizens of the community and a man who bore the highest mark of esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was one of the original members of the Congregational church, this city, and was a deacon in said church at the time of his death.
The funeral services were held at the family residence on last Saturday morning, Feb. 9, and were conducted by Rev. Bugbey, after which interment was made in East cemetery.
May the life of this noble character be remembered as one which is well worthy of our example and respect.
Contributor: Shirley (48377200) •
Father of Theodore Tupper Curtiss.
Son of Homer and Charry Curtiss.
Theodore was the first Curtiss to leave Warren Ct and move to Waverly Ill. (with Elisha and Deacon Tanner) More family followed in in the two years to come. According to one letter he married Laura Sackett on March 9, 1837. In another letter they traveled to Ohio to visit her family. It was in an Ohio antique shop that these photos were discovered in 1999 and posted on the web by Ford & Nagle. I found them there in Sept 2006.
Theodore writes: -- Feb. 4th,1836
There is something very animating to see a country that is in infancy grow, when it is so perceptible and should it continue in the same ratio for ten years to come as the past, it will no longer need to be called an infant, as in that time it will acquire the strength of a giant. ------I have engaged to take a piece of land of which there is one hundred twenty acres, and have written to Father that I should like to have him assist me to $200.00.
The girls say you (his sister Miranda) must lay out your school money in land. As soon as you have a hundred dollars it will secure you eighty acres.
Sabbath returns the same as at home, yet there is not as much to distinguish it from other days. As there is no preaching within twenty miles, we usually hold a meeting at the Deacon's and have one of Mr. Finney's sermons read and in the evening hold a prayer meeting. Twice we have had preaching near by. I hope the time will soon come when there will be regular preaching.
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
CURTISS, T.E. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 12, P.O. Waverly. The above named gentleman was the second child of Homer and Charry Curtiss. Homer Curtiss, who is now in his 93d year, and who is an honored citizen of this county, was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and there married Miss Charry Everitt. The subject of this sketch was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, May, 1813; there he received his education and followed farming; in 1835, Mr. C. make a visit to Morgan County, Illinois, and well pleased at the flattering prospects on the broad prairies of the West, he there determined to locate; returning to the East, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sackett, a daughter of Justus and Polly Sackett; in 1837 Mr. Curtiss again wended his way to Illinois, locating in Morgan County, where he entered forty acres of land, and purchased one hundred and twenty; his possessions, at that time, were limited, but he gained slowly, year by year, and by judicious investments and rare judgment, he is today one of our most substantial farmers; and has arrived at his present prosperous condition through indomitable will; owing some four hundred acres in the vicinity of Waverly. Mr. Curtiss now lives to enjoy the fruits of his early labor; the first wife of Mr. C. died in 1867, the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta L. Tupper, a daughter of Martyn Tupper, a native of Connecticut. For a period of four years Mr. Curtiss conducted a successful business at Waverly, firm name, Rose, Curtiss & Co.; this honorable firm were well known to the citizens of this county; although now retired from active labor, and living on his farm property, the energy that marked his youth, is still a distinguishing trait of his character. Mr. Curtiss is president of the Bank of Waverly.
http://johnlisle.org/sackett/tng/getperson.php?personID=I3029&tree=sackett_main
Waverly Journal Enterprise, Feb. 16, 1901
Uncle Theodore Curtiss
A Biographical Sketch of This Noble Man's Life
Theodore E. Curtiss was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in the town of Warren, May 23, 1813, and settled in Morgan county in the spring of 1835. His ancestors for many generations resided in the New England states, where they came from England. His great grand father was an officer inn the Revolutionary war, and his son, Augustine, was his aide during the same war, and subsequently drew a pension therefor.
Uncle Theodore's father, after marriage resided in Connecticut until he was fifty years of age, when in 1837 he came to Illinois, passing his remaining days in Waverly. He died in the year 1886, lacking but a little over a year of rounding out a full century. His wife having died ten years previous. They were the parents of five children: Miranda, who married M. B. Strong, and resides in Connecticut; Theodore E., the subject of this sketch; Augustine A.; Lodenia, who married J. R. Godfrey and is a resident of Godfrey, Ill., and Frederick who resides in Sangamon county. There had been no deaths in the family until a few months ago and the youngest child was over fifty years old when the mother died.
Uncle Theodore passed his boyhood days on a farm, and received his limited education that was generally obtained in the common schools of th day. He resided in his native town until 1835 when he came to Illinois and purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved. In 1836 he returned to Connecticut and the following year was married to Laura A. Sackett. Immediately after marriage they came to Illinois and settled on the farm he had purchased the previous year. His parents, two brothers and one sister also returned with him, the journey was made via New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and the Ohio river, occupying three weeks. In the year 1835 Waverly was platted and Uncle Theodore assisted in the work, he having come to Illinois with Joseph A. Tanner, father of Dr. Tanner of Illinois College. Mr. Curtis gave his entire attention to farming until 1852 when in addition to his farming interests he was interested in a general store with his brother, Fred Curtiss and J. W. Ross. The business continued under the firm name for about five years when Theodore sold his interest and he again turned his entire attention to farming and thus continued until a few years ago when he became interested in the Bank of Waverly and with its failure he lost the greater portion of the property which he accumulated during his younger days. In the summer of 1866 he was called upon to mourn the death of his faithful companion and on Dec. 22, 1868 he was united in marriage to Augusta L. Tupper, of Mass., and to this union was born one son, T. T. Curtiss, who still resides at the home residence in this city. Mrs. Curtiss died Dec. 31, 1896, and her sister, Mrs. Louise Tupper, who has made her home with the family for several years, has kept house for Mr. Curtiss since that time.
Last Thursday he fell asleep to wake in heaven.
On Saturday we attended his funeral after a prayer and some appropriate and beautiful scripture reading by the Rev. W. S. Bugbey, Dr. Fairbank, his former pastor and beloved friend, spoke of his life and character. He said that faithfulness seemed to him the one characteristic of his whole life. He never laid claim to a large number of talents but such as the Master intrusted him with, were faithfully cared for and increased.
Like Abraham, he obeyed the voice of God, and with unfaltering footsteps walked onward until like Paul, he finished his course and received the crown.
To us who knew him best those things are absolutely true. His life was a constant reproach to us who look outward with less serious eyes.
His benefactions were many as long as his means allowed, and his right hand often scattered mercies that his left hand knew not of. In his sermon last Sabbath Mr. Bugbey compared the journey of Abraham across the plains of Syria to Palestine to the journey of the sons of New England across the intervening states to the fair prairies of the west, and as Abraham died with the vision unfulfilled, yet called the friend of God, so Theodore Curtiss journeyed with his bride from the rocks and hills of home to this fair land and in his old age when the beautiful picture of comfort and plenty, proved but a mirage and vanished from his sight, there was no murmuring, only regret that he had nothing more to give. One of the last things I heard him say was: "I began the world with nothing and I can leave it with nothing, it is all right."
"He met his Pilot face to face
When he passed o'er the Bar."
With the passing from our midst of Uncle Theodore, Waverly mourns the loss of one of the foremost citizens of the community and a man who bore the highest mark of esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was one of the original members of the Congregational church, this city, and was a deacon in said church at the time of his death.
The funeral services were held at the family residence on last Saturday morning, Feb. 9, and were conducted by Rev. Bugbey, after which interment was made in East cemetery.
May the life of this noble character be remembered as one which is well worthy of our example and respect.
Contributor: Shirley (48377200) •
Husband of Laura Ann Sackett Curtiss and his second wife Augusta L Tupper Curtiss.
Father of Theodore Tupper Curtiss.
Son of Homer and Charry Curtiss.
Theodore was the first Curtiss to leave Warren Ct and move to Waverly Ill. (with Elisha and Deacon Tanner) More family followed in in the two years to come. According to one letter he married Laura Sackett on March 9, 1837. In another letter they traveled to Ohio to visit her family. It was in an Ohio antique shop that these photos were discovered in 1999 and posted on the web by Ford & Nagle. I found them there in Sept 2006.
Theodore writes: -- Feb. 4th,1836
There is something very animating to see a country that is in infancy grow, when it is so perceptible and should it continue in the same ratio for ten years to come as the past, it will no longer need to be called an infant, as in that time it will acquire the strength of a giant. ------I have engaged to take a piece of land of which there is one hundred twenty acres, and have written to Father that I should like to have him assist me to $200.00.
The girls say you (his sister Miranda) must lay out your school money in land. As soon as you have a hundred dollars it will secure you eighty acres.
Sabbath returns the same as at home, yet there is not as much to distinguish it from other days. As there is no preaching within twenty miles, we usually hold a meeting at the Deacon's and have one of Mr. Finney's sermons read and in the evening hold a prayer meeting. Twice we have had preaching near by. I hope the time will soon come when there will be regular preaching.
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
CURTISS, T.E. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 12, P.O. Waverly. The above named gentleman was the second child of Homer and Charry Curtiss. Homer Curtiss, who is now in his 93d year, and who is an honored citizen of this county, was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and there married Miss Charry Everitt. The subject of this sketch was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, May, 1813; there he received his education and followed farming; in 1835, Mr. C. make a visit to Morgan County, Illinois, and well pleased at the flattering prospects on the broad prairies of the West, he there determined to locate; returning to the East, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sackett, a daughter of Justus and Polly Sackett; in 1837 Mr. Curtiss again wended his way to Illinois, locating in Morgan County, where he entered forty acres of land, and purchased one hundred and twenty; his possessions, at that time, were limited, but he gained slowly, year by year, and by judicious investments and rare judgment, he is today one of our most substantial farmers; and has arrived at his present prosperous condition through indomitable will; owing some four hundred acres in the vicinity of Waverly. Mr. Curtiss now lives to enjoy the fruits of his early labor; the first wife of Mr. C. died in 1867, the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta L. Tupper, a daughter of Martyn Tupper, a native of Connecticut. For a period of four years Mr. Curtiss conducted a successful business at Waverly, firm name, Rose, Curtiss & Co.; this honorable firm were well known to the citizens of this county; although now retired from active labor, and living on his farm property, the energy that marked his youth, is still a distinguishing trait of his character. Mr. Curtiss is president of the Bank of Waverly.
http://johnlisle.org/sackett/tng/getperson.php?personID=I3029&tree=sackett_main
Waverly Journal Enterprise, Feb. 16, 1901
Uncle Theodore Curtiss
A Biographical Sketch of This Noble Man's Life
Theodore E. Curtiss was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in the town of Warren, May 23, 1813, and settled in Morgan county in the spring of 1835. His ancestors for many generations resided in the New England states, where they came from England. His great grand father was an officer inn the Revolutionary war, and his son, Augustine, was his aide during the same war, and subsequently drew a pension therefor.
Uncle Theodore's father, after marriage resided in Connecticut until he was fifty years of age, when in 1837 he came to Illinois, passing his remaining days in Waverly. He died in the year 1886, lacking but a little over a year of rounding out a full century. His wife having died ten years previous. They were the parents of five children: Miranda, who married M. B. Strong, and resides in Connecticut; Theodore E., the subject of this sketch; Augustine A.; Lodenia, who married J. R. Godfrey and is a resident of Godfrey, Ill., and Frederick who resides in Sangamon county. There had been no deaths in the family until a few months ago and the youngest child was over fifty years old when the mother died.
Uncle Theodore passed his boyhood days on a farm, and received his limited education that was generally obtained in the common schools of th day. He resided in his native town until 1835 when he came to Illinois and purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved. In 1836 he returned to Connecticut and the following year was married to Laura A. Sackett. Immediately after marriage they came to Illinois and settled on the farm he had purchased the previous year. His parents, two brothers and one sister also returned with him, the journey was made via New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and the Ohio river, occupying three weeks. In the year 1835 Waverly was platted and Uncle Theodore assisted in the work, he having come to Illinois with Joseph A. Tanner, father of Dr. Tanner of Illinois College. Mr. Curtis gave his entire attention to farming until 1852 when in addition to his farming interests he was interested in a general store with his brother, Fred Curtiss and J. W. Ross. The business continued under the firm name for about five years when Theodore sold his interest and he again turned his entire attention to farming and thus continued until a few years ago when he became interested in the Bank of Waverly and with its failure he lost the greater portion of the property which he accumulated during his younger days. In the summer of 1866 he was called upon to mourn the death of his faithful companion and on Dec. 22, 1868 he was united in marriage to Augusta L. Tupper, of Mass., and to this union was born one son, T. T. Curtiss, who still resides at the home residence in this city. Mrs. Curtiss died Dec. 31, 1896, and her sister, Mrs. Louise Tupper, who has made her home with the family for several years, has kept house for Mr. Curtiss since that time.
Last Thursday he fell asleep to wake in heaven.
On Saturday we attended his funeral after a prayer and some appropriate and beautiful scripture reading by the Rev. W. S. Bugbey, Dr. Fairbank, his former pastor and beloved friend, spoke of his life and character. He said that faithfulness seemed to him the one characteristic of his whole life. He never laid claim to a large number of talents but such as the Master intrusted him with, were faithfully cared for and increased.
Like Abraham, he obeyed the voice of God, and with unfaltering footsteps walked onward until like Paul, he finished his course and received the crown.
To us who knew him best those things are absolutely true. His life was a constant reproach to us who look outward with less serious eyes.
His benefactions were many as long as his means allowed, and his right hand often scattered mercies that his left hand knew not of. In his sermon last Sabbath Mr. Bugbey compared the journey of Abraham across the plains of Syria to Palestine to the journey of the sons of New England across the intervening states to the fair prairies of the west, and as Abraham died with the vision unfulfilled, yet called the friend of God, so Theodore Curtiss journeyed with his bride from the rocks and hills of home to this fair land and in his old age when the beautiful picture of comfort and plenty, proved but a mirage and vanished from his sight, there was no murmuring, only regret that he had nothing more to give. One of the last things I heard him say was: "I began the world with nothing and I can leave it with nothing, it is all right."
"He met his Pilot face to face
When he passed o'er the Bar."
With the passing from our midst of Uncle Theodore, Waverly mourns the loss of one of the foremost citizens of the community and a man who bore the highest mark of esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was one of the original members of the Congregational church, this city, and was a deacon in said church at the time of his death.
The funeral services were held at the family residence on last Saturday morning, Feb. 9, and were conducted by Rev. Bugbey, after which interment was made in East cemetery.
May the life of this noble character be remembered as one which is well worthy of our example and respect.
Contributor: Shirley (48377200) •
Father of Theodore Tupper Curtiss.
Son of Homer and Charry Curtiss.
Theodore was the first Curtiss to leave Warren Ct and move to Waverly Ill. (with Elisha and Deacon Tanner) More family followed in in the two years to come. According to one letter he married Laura Sackett on March 9, 1837. In another letter they traveled to Ohio to visit her family. It was in an Ohio antique shop that these photos were discovered in 1999 and posted on the web by Ford & Nagle. I found them there in Sept 2006.
Theodore writes: -- Feb. 4th,1836
There is something very animating to see a country that is in infancy grow, when it is so perceptible and should it continue in the same ratio for ten years to come as the past, it will no longer need to be called an infant, as in that time it will acquire the strength of a giant. ------I have engaged to take a piece of land of which there is one hundred twenty acres, and have written to Father that I should like to have him assist me to $200.00.
The girls say you (his sister Miranda) must lay out your school money in land. As soon as you have a hundred dollars it will secure you eighty acres.
Sabbath returns the same as at home, yet there is not as much to distinguish it from other days. As there is no preaching within twenty miles, we usually hold a meeting at the Deacon's and have one of Mr. Finney's sermons read and in the evening hold a prayer meeting. Twice we have had preaching near by. I hope the time will soon come when there will be regular preaching.
HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
CURTISS, T.E. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 12, P.O. Waverly. The above named gentleman was the second child of Homer and Charry Curtiss. Homer Curtiss, who is now in his 93d year, and who is an honored citizen of this county, was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and there married Miss Charry Everitt. The subject of this sketch was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, May, 1813; there he received his education and followed farming; in 1835, Mr. C. make a visit to Morgan County, Illinois, and well pleased at the flattering prospects on the broad prairies of the West, he there determined to locate; returning to the East, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sackett, a daughter of Justus and Polly Sackett; in 1837 Mr. Curtiss again wended his way to Illinois, locating in Morgan County, where he entered forty acres of land, and purchased one hundred and twenty; his possessions, at that time, were limited, but he gained slowly, year by year, and by judicious investments and rare judgment, he is today one of our most substantial farmers; and has arrived at his present prosperous condition through indomitable will; owing some four hundred acres in the vicinity of Waverly. Mr. Curtiss now lives to enjoy the fruits of his early labor; the first wife of Mr. C. died in 1867, the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta L. Tupper, a daughter of Martyn Tupper, a native of Connecticut. For a period of four years Mr. Curtiss conducted a successful business at Waverly, firm name, Rose, Curtiss & Co.; this honorable firm were well known to the citizens of this county; although now retired from active labor, and living on his farm property, the energy that marked his youth, is still a distinguishing trait of his character. Mr. Curtiss is president of the Bank of Waverly.
http://johnlisle.org/sackett/tng/getperson.php?personID=I3029&tree=sackett_main
Waverly Journal Enterprise, Feb. 16, 1901
Uncle Theodore Curtiss
A Biographical Sketch of This Noble Man's Life
Theodore E. Curtiss was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in the town of Warren, May 23, 1813, and settled in Morgan county in the spring of 1835. His ancestors for many generations resided in the New England states, where they came from England. His great grand father was an officer inn the Revolutionary war, and his son, Augustine, was his aide during the same war, and subsequently drew a pension therefor.
Uncle Theodore's father, after marriage resided in Connecticut until he was fifty years of age, when in 1837 he came to Illinois, passing his remaining days in Waverly. He died in the year 1886, lacking but a little over a year of rounding out a full century. His wife having died ten years previous. They were the parents of five children: Miranda, who married M. B. Strong, and resides in Connecticut; Theodore E., the subject of this sketch; Augustine A.; Lodenia, who married J. R. Godfrey and is a resident of Godfrey, Ill., and Frederick who resides in Sangamon county. There had been no deaths in the family until a few months ago and the youngest child was over fifty years old when the mother died.
Uncle Theodore passed his boyhood days on a farm, and received his limited education that was generally obtained in the common schools of th day. He resided in his native town until 1835 when he came to Illinois and purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved. In 1836 he returned to Connecticut and the following year was married to Laura A. Sackett. Immediately after marriage they came to Illinois and settled on the farm he had purchased the previous year. His parents, two brothers and one sister also returned with him, the journey was made via New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and the Ohio river, occupying three weeks. In the year 1835 Waverly was platted and Uncle Theodore assisted in the work, he having come to Illinois with Joseph A. Tanner, father of Dr. Tanner of Illinois College. Mr. Curtis gave his entire attention to farming until 1852 when in addition to his farming interests he was interested in a general store with his brother, Fred Curtiss and J. W. Ross. The business continued under the firm name for about five years when Theodore sold his interest and he again turned his entire attention to farming and thus continued until a few years ago when he became interested in the Bank of Waverly and with its failure he lost the greater portion of the property which he accumulated during his younger days. In the summer of 1866 he was called upon to mourn the death of his faithful companion and on Dec. 22, 1868 he was united in marriage to Augusta L. Tupper, of Mass., and to this union was born one son, T. T. Curtiss, who still resides at the home residence in this city. Mrs. Curtiss died Dec. 31, 1896, and her sister, Mrs. Louise Tupper, who has made her home with the family for several years, has kept house for Mr. Curtiss since that time.
Last Thursday he fell asleep to wake in heaven.
On Saturday we attended his funeral after a prayer and some appropriate and beautiful scripture reading by the Rev. W. S. Bugbey, Dr. Fairbank, his former pastor and beloved friend, spoke of his life and character. He said that faithfulness seemed to him the one characteristic of his whole life. He never laid claim to a large number of talents but such as the Master intrusted him with, were faithfully cared for and increased.
Like Abraham, he obeyed the voice of God, and with unfaltering footsteps walked onward until like Paul, he finished his course and received the crown.
To us who knew him best those things are absolutely true. His life was a constant reproach to us who look outward with less serious eyes.
His benefactions were many as long as his means allowed, and his right hand often scattered mercies that his left hand knew not of. In his sermon last Sabbath Mr. Bugbey compared the journey of Abraham across the plains of Syria to Palestine to the journey of the sons of New England across the intervening states to the fair prairies of the west, and as Abraham died with the vision unfulfilled, yet called the friend of God, so Theodore Curtiss journeyed with his bride from the rocks and hills of home to this fair land and in his old age when the beautiful picture of comfort and plenty, proved but a mirage and vanished from his sight, there was no murmuring, only regret that he had nothing more to give. One of the last things I heard him say was: "I began the world with nothing and I can leave it with nothing, it is all right."
"He met his Pilot face to face
When he passed o'er the Bar."
With the passing from our midst of Uncle Theodore, Waverly mourns the loss of one of the foremost citizens of the community and a man who bore the highest mark of esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was one of the original members of the Congregational church, this city, and was a deacon in said church at the time of his death.
The funeral services were held at the family residence on last Saturday morning, Feb. 9, and were conducted by Rev. Bugbey, after which interment was made in East cemetery.
May the life of this noble character be remembered as one which is well worthy of our example and respect.
Contributor: Shirley (48377200) •
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