Curtiss Family Information

Charles & Martha Curtiss moved from Illinois to Basset, Ne, in the late 1800's and homesteaded 6 miles south of Basset. Built a Sod House and lived in it to improve on their homestead. Charles was a veteran of the Civil War (as noted by the G.A.R. designation on his tombstone in the Basset cemetary - Grand Army of the Republic), was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and collected a disability pension of $12 per month (Which was the pay of a private soldier during the war). He came to Basset to try and raise horses - however, he paid $200 for his horses and later sold them for $12. After his homestead failed, Charles and Martha moved to Basset. Charles carried mail to Rose Ne. in a buggy (40 miles south of Basset). He would go out one day, stay over night, and come back the next day. Martha - his wife - ran the hotel in Basset (they lived in the hotel). Charles was quite a bit older than Martha, he died before David was old enough to know much about him. Martha then bought a house next to Herbie's and lived there until she died. One of Herbie's kids got measles, and they quarantined Edna, Betty, and Harold in the house - David, Eugene and Herbied had to live with Martha for several weeks until the quarentine was lifted. David remembers that she was quite old fashioned and wore ankle-length dresses all the time. She was very kind and grandmotherly.

Diseases were much more serious than today - frequently fatal. David remembers getting vaccinated for smallpox - it was the worst - made your arm fester and hurt.

Curtiss Family Info