This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Curtis, Trusdale, Snedacher, Billings, Akers, Whitney, Blevins, McMahan, McCracken, Freeman, Story, Brown, Wyatt Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/TmQ.2ACIB/2071 Message Board Post: Mr. James F. Curtis died at his home 2-1/2 miles west of Manchester on July 23, 1890. Deceased was born in West Liberty, West Virginia, July 13, 1812. He was first married Oct. 23, 1833 to Miss Sarah Snedacher, who died May 7, 1839, leaving two little girls. He was married the second time Aug. 22, 1839, to Miss Nancy Trusdale, and they journeyed together for nearly 51 years, dividing their joys and bearing the burdens of life. To them were born 13 children, making 15 in all, of whom five preceded him to the spirit world; and by these children he had 76 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. The deceased confessed in Christ in his twenty-first year, and was baptized by that great and good man, Alexander Campbell. He erected the family altar, read the scriptures, and prayed in his family, and acknowledged Christ before his fellowmen. He took a deep interest and an active part in all the interest of the church till age and infirmities came upon him. He was noted for his charity, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in distress, and always among the first in the neighborhood to visit the sick and afflicted. He also took an active part in all the political questions of the day, and in 1857 he was elected an associate justice, resigning April 12, 1858, because of the issuance of the railroad bonds by a majority of the court. But the confidence which in the fall of 1864, by electing him to represent them in the State Legislature, a position he filled to the satisfaction of all. He was a life-long democrat, but was not so shallow in his views as to think that everything he did not approve of was a fraud, therefore commanded the respect of all opposing parties. In the spring of 1839 he left his native state, with its rocks and hills, and sought a home on the plains of this prairie state. He purchased the place he was living on at the time of his death, then covered with dense thickets and tall prairie grass, and here for over half a century he has lived and toiled and raised his family, known and respected by all. He lived to see all of his children married and living close to him, with the exception of one or two. He was always a kind-hearted father, and was never in a more pleasant mood then when surrounded by his children and their families, a fact noted by all the community. His funeral was preached on the 24th at the family residence, by Rev. Vandervort of White Hall, after which his remains were interred in the Bower Cemetery, followed by a large concourse of mourning relatives and friends. To the aged widow and family the community extend their heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement.