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Below is a family biography included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Daniel Curtis, not unknown to the many residents of Benton Township and vicinity, is acknowledged to be one of the most prominent fruit-growers in Crawford County. Born in England, in 1828, he was next to the youngest of fifteen children in the family of his parents, Samuel and Sarah (Lewis) Curtis. Daniel was reared a farmer and received a good common-school education in his native country, beginning life for himself there at an early age. In 1849 he was married to Eliza J. Gilkeson, and soon after, in 1850, Mr. Curtis with his young wife immigrated to America, settling in Lenawee County, Mich., where he resided some nine years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Upon landing in this country he was without much means, but since that time has been by no means idle, as his present possessions indicate. In April, 1859, he came to Crawford County, Mo., and for a while followed teaming and farming in Cuba, after which he purchased his present homestead and farm in 1863. The place was then an unimproved, uncultivated tract of 160 acres, very different in appearance from the comfortable farm which he now occupies; the surroundings are of a substantial nature. Upon this place is an orchard of 3,000 fruit trees, to the cultivation of which he gives considerable attention. Besides this he also owns another farm of 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Ester, James, Daniel E., Orlando, Mary S., Robert R., Elzora E., William G., Eliza E., Samuel E. and Oscar B. Politically, Mr. Curtis is a Republican, and he and his wife enjoy the esteem of all who know them.

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This family biography is one of 117 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Crawford County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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