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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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Thomas P. Curtis, farmer and ginner, Carouse, Ark. The parents of our subject, Joseph and Mary (Woodhouse) Curtis, were natives of England, the father born on September 10, 1795, and the mother on August 20, 1803. They were married in Richland County, Ohio, and there the mother died on June 6, 1855. She was the second wife of Mr. Curtis, and after her death he married a widow, Mrs. Mary Hornby by name. By his second marriage the following children were born: Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Thomas P., Sarah, John W., James S., Abigail, William T., William F., and Joseph B. The father was a mechanic and farmer and was an industrious, enterprising citizen. He was a Whig in politics, and was opposed to all secret societies. Both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas P. Curtis was born in Richland County, Ohio, near Mansfield, on October 2, 1827, and his early impressions were at once directed toward the channels of agricultural pursuits. He received his primary education in the common schools of Richland County, and finished in a seminary there. He was married on May 20, 1851, to Miss Ruth Anna Irey, a native of Virginia, born on February 15, 1826, and the daughter of Samuel and Genila Irey. Seven children were born to their marriage: Charles W. (born March 28, 1853), Joseph S. (born October 25, 1854), Mary E. (born January 23, 1857), Genila S. (born March 26, 1859), William F. (born April 9, 1862, and died January 25, 1863), William T. (born May 9, 1864, and died December 21, 1868), and an infant son (who died unnamed). Charles W. married Miss Frances A. Wooten, J. S. married Miss Maggie Chapman, Mary E. married Edmund Evans, and Genila, married Thomas Wooten, and after his death married Joseph B. White. Mr. Curtis has been comparatively successful in life, and in connection with the large farm of 150 acres in Nevada County, owns a large gin. He is a member of the Alliance, and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, but in local affairs votes for the best man. He was an active Union man during the war, and as might be supposed, was in some dangerous positions on account of this, having his hat shot through at one time. He moved to Illinois in 1853, and in 1881 to Nevada County, Ark., where he settled in the woods.

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This family biography is one of 96 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Nevada County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Nevada County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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