General Notes

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Recollections of a relative (slighted edited):

     Wilmer was born in Clinton County near Cedar Rapids, Michigan.  His father, Jerome L. Curtiss, was killed in the Civil War in the Battle of Fort Stedman, Petersburg, Virginia.  He was a seargeant with Compoany G, 2nd Michigan.
     Wilmer was 9 years old when his father was killed.  He was raised by his grandparents until he was 14.  Wilmer found work in a lumber mill and he educated himself. He went to the University of Michigan and studied medicine.  He opened a drug store with his brother in Harrison, Michigan.  In the thirties, he gave up the drug stroe because the state of Michigan required more schooling for pharmacists.  He became a farmer and moved his family to Coleman, Michigan.
     Wilmer suffered a spinal injury that nearly cost him his life, which required him to live in a body cast for several years. He did recover from the spinal injury.

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Wilmer J. Curtiss, like his wife, Ruth Sturgis, also descends from John Olin I through his great-grandmother Mary Olin, wife of Preserve Richmond.
[1 John Olin I, 2 Henry I, 3 Henry II, 4 Mary; wife of Preserve Richmond, 5 David Richmond, 6 Hannah; wife of Jerome I, 7 Wilmer Jerome Curtiss.]

  Recorded Events in His Life

• He has conflicting birth information of 11 May 1857 and Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan, USA.

• He appeared on the 1860 US Federal Census on 4 June 1860 in Greenbush, Clinton County, Michigan, USA. ⁵ Wilmer J., age 4
  
  

1860 U.S. Census: Clinton County, Greenbush Twn, Michigan. Ancestory.com page 13: Enteries 18/23. Born
J.L. Curtiss 39 M Farmer N.Y.
Hannah M. 29 F "
Sylvester O 9 M Michigan.
Dante S. 5 M "
Wilmer J. 4 M "
Ray Dell B. 2 M (should be Dell Ray B.) "

• He appeared on the 1870 US Federal Census on 25 August 1870 in Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan, USA. ⁶ William J., age 14

• He appeared on the 1880 US Federal Census on 14 June 1880 in Harrison, Clare County, Michigan, USA. ⁷ William, age 23

• He appeared on the 1900 US Federal Census on 15 June 1900 in Wise Township, Isabella County, Michigan, USA. ⁸ Willmer J. Curtis, age 44

• He appeared on the 1910 US Federal Census on 27 April 1910 in Wise Township, Isabella County, Michigan, USA. ⁹ Willmer J. Curtis, age 53

• He appeared on the 1920 US Federal Census on 6 January 1920 in Wise Township, Isabella County, Michigan, USA. ¹⁰ Wilmer J. Curtis, age 63

• He appeared on the 1930 US Federal Census on 15 April 1930 in Wise Township, Isabella County, Michigan, USA. ¹¹ Wilmer J. Curtis, age 73