My Genealogy Hound

CURTIUS, L. S. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Carrollton. Luman Curtius, who ranks among the more prominent farmers of Greene County, was born in Duchess County, N. Y., on the 18th of May, 1808. Tracing back the genealogy of the family to the extent that our limited space will allow, we find that Nathaniel Curtius, father of him whose name heads this sketch, was grain and hay, Western produce generally. Having accumulated a fortune in 1840, he determined to make the West his future home, and accordingly made his way to Greene County, Ill., where he purchased 620 acres of valuable land, near the city of Carrollton. While here a resident he formed the acquaintance of and married an estimable lady, Miss Ellen Beebe, a daughter of Judge Beebe, of Elkhart, Indiana, who built the first house in Elkhart. Of this marriage nine children were born, two of whom died in early infancy; seven are living: Mary, Rosala, Ellen, Luman B., Augustus, Henry, and Caroline. During the year 1870, Mrs. Curtius was laid at rest in the cemetery of Carrollton, a worthy monument marking the spot. In 1872, Mr. Curtius united his fortunes to Miss Mary K. Snedeker, of Jerseyville, a daughter of Isaac Snedeker, of Trenton, N. J. In 1868, Mr. Curtius began the erection of his present magnificent farm residence, unequaled within the borders of Greene County; further notice will be given in the historical portion of this volume.