Biographies, land descriptions and other points of interest.
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ALBER FAMILY
In 1920, the Alber family owned a 160 acres farm located in the NW 1/4, Section 21, T. 25 E., R. 5E., Curtis Township.
BAMFIELD FAMILY
The 1910 Census identified the following Bamfield family members living in Curtisville: Mary Bamfield (head of household), Thomas Bamfield (son) and William Bamfield (son).
The original Bamfield homestead was flooded when the Alcona Dam was built. The house and barn are under the Alcona Pond.
BARNES FAMILY
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The 1900 Census identified the following members of the Barnes family living in Curtisville: James Barnes (head of household), Mary Barnes (wife), La Fleur (step-son), Harriet T. (step-daughter), and Manley Bell (son-in-law). James was identified as being a farmer.
This farm was located on the southeast corner of Bamfield and Curtisville Roads. James Barnes operated a "Squaring Mill" on this property. He built a two story log house on the property that was later sold to John Wesley Redmond.
Mary A. Barnes was a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners - Curtis Arbor in 1903.
BELL FAMILY
BERMAN FAMILY
In 1920, R. Burman owned a 40 acre farm located in the SW 1/4, NW 1/4, Section 16, T. 25 E.-R. 5E., Curtis Township, Alcona County.
BERRY FAMILY
The 1910 Census identifies the following members of the Berry family living in Curtisville: Evor Berry (head of household) and Marie (wife); Arvinton Berry (head of household), Ellen (wife), Florence M. (daughter), Ernest (son) and Clara (daughter). Evor Berry was identified as being a School Teacher. Alvinton Berry was identified as being a Farmer.
Clara Berry was attending the Hillside School in the Fall of 1908.
Ernest Berry died while serving in the Polar Bear Division in Russia during World War I.
BIELBY FAMILY
The 1910 Census identifies the following members of the Bielby family living in Curtisville: George Bielby (head of household) and Blanche (wife).
BOUVIA FAMILY
Fred, Florence, Louis and Mertle Bouvia were attending the Hillside School in the Fall of 1908.
The 1910 Census identifies the following members of the Bouvia family living in Curtisville: Nelson Bouvia (head of household, Maud (wife), Myrtle (daughter), Fred (son), Lou (daughter), Arlena O. (daughter) and Ray (son). Nelson Bouvia was identified as being a Farmer.
BOWSER FAMILY
John Bowser married Clarissa Merrit, daughter of Rev. George Merrit. They came to Curtisville in the late 1800's. John Bowser helped organize Curtis Township. The Bowsers were active workers in the Curtisville Baptist Church and the Gleaner Life Insurance Society.
They had an interest in eduction. The first Curtisville school was held in their home. They boarded the school teachers for many years. Rev. George Merritt was ordained in the Bowser barn, which had been used for church services at that time.
John and Clarissa had one son, Fred. Fred married Emma Sinclair. Fred and Emma's only son, Walter, married Lois Healy of Glennie. Fredrick and Emma Bowser were members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners - Curtis Arbor in 1903.
The 1900 Census identified the following members of the Bowser family living in Curtisville: John Bowser (head of household), Clarissa (wife) and Fred (son). G. Goodfellow and ? Mc Dermott were listed as servants in this household. John Bowser was identified as being a Farmer.
The 1910 Census identified the following members of the Bowser family living in Curtisville: John Bowser (head of household) and Clarissa (wife). John Bowser was identifgied as being a Farmer.
The 1920 Census identified the following members of the Bowser family living in Curtisville: Fred M. Bowser (head of household), Emma (wife), Walter (adopted son) and Clarissa (mother).
In 1920, Fred and Emma Bowser owned a 120 acre farm consisting of the Sw 1/4 and E 1/2, SW 1/4 of Section 17, T. 25 N., R. 5E., Curtis Township. This property was located to the north of the Curtisville Civic Center.
One old timer told us that John Bowser always held a St. Patrick's Day party for the young folk.
Although we haven't been able to find out much about the Bowser's background, their influence on this community speaks well of them. The
epitaphs on their tombstones are fitting eulogies:
Clarissa Bowser
1852 - 1926
She has done what she could
She has gone to rest
John Bowser
1843 - Oct. 4, 1918
I have fought a good fight
I have kept the faith
CAGE FAMILY
Richard Cage and his family lived on what was later known as the Tanner Farm. Mrs. Cage served as midwife for the first white child, Richard Curtis, born in Curtis Township in 1868.
CAMPBELL FAMILY
In 1920, the Campbell family owned an 80 acre farm located in S 1/2, NW 1/4, Section 29, T. 25 E., - R. 5E., Curtis Township. Kathryn and Jimmy Campbell attended the Hillside School during the period 1915-1917.
The 1920 Census identifies the following members of the Campbell family living in Curtisville: Catherine Campbell (head of household), Catherine Campbell (daughter) and James Campbell (son).
CLAREY FAMILY
The 1910 Census identifies the following members of the Clarey family living in Curtisville: William Clarey (head of household), Caroline (wife), Willhenina (daughter), William (son) and Catherine (daughter). William Clarey was identified as being a Farmer.
In 1920, the Clarey family owned an 80 acre farm located in N 1/2, NE 1/4, Section 19, T. 25 E., R. 5E., Curtis Township.
CURLEY FAMILY
The Curleys were early pioneers. The followed the lumbering norht. They took homestead land in Seciton 7 of Curtis Township. They timebered off their land, taking the lumber to the mill at South Branch. The mill was owned by Frank Trudell. Henry and Hugh Curley were excellent stone and brick masons.
Henry and Degreta Curley had eleven children: Maude, Isabelle, Peter, Thoms, Mabel, John, Lyle, Charlie, Louise, Esther and Elsie. Henry was born in 1855 and died in 1941. Degretha was born in 1870 and ided in 1943.
Hugh married Olive Spencer. They had no children. They took Bessie Spencer to raise as Bessie's mother had died. Bessie's mother was Olivia Spencer Curley's sister. Olive died at the age of 42. In later hyears Hugh married Mrs. McCloeman, a widow.
Charlei Curl;ey was a lumberman. His wife was Rose. The had five children: Roy, killed at Alcona Dam; Elmer, marrided Ruby Deacon; Walter married Lousine Carter; Harry married Helen Herkle; Ray, whose wifes name is Ruth.
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Warren Curley worked at the Gates Mill in Bay City. He and his wife, Margaret, came to Curtisville much later that his hree brothers. The had one son, Hugh. Hugh married Evelyn Sayce. They had tow daughters, Lynn and Stephanie. Warren was born in 1866. Margaret was born in 1872 and died in 1935.
CURTIS FAMILY
Ebenezer D. Curtis married Mary Hodgeson, probably in New Brunswick, Canada; as they were both born there. As was their oldest child, Allen. E. D. worked as a ship builder and also as a lumberman in Maine.
Mary's father was born in Maine. Her mother was born in Ireland.
Curtis' had seven children:
[1.] Allen, born in New Brunswick, Canade. Married Lillian Dawes of Wilber, Michigan. They had one child, Mary.
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[2.] Malvina, born in Portland, Maine in 1851. Died in Seattle, Washington about 1927. Married Manley Wilber, Aprile 21, 1871. They had two daughters: Alberta and Ethel.
[ 3.] Edwin. Lumbered in Benizi, Minnesota. Died there. Nothing more is known of his life.
[ 4.] Jennie, born in Maine 1858. Died at Curtisville, Michigan on October 22, 1892. Married Joseph Bell, a Civil War veteran. Died at birth of son Daniel. Joseph and Jennie Bell had seven prior children: Edward, born April 12, 1876 at Wilbur, Michigan. Died October 29, 1927. Married Mary Wilkerson. One adopted daughter Nina Wilson Mousseau. Joseph born January 15, 1878 at Wilbur, Michigan. Died at Curtisville, Michigan May 19, 1945. Graduated from Ferris College, 1906. President of his class. Druggist in Seattle all his life. Five children: William, Keith, Richard, Patricia and Elizabeth. Manly A. born Stillwater, Minnesota September 30, 1880. Died at Curtisville, Michigna June, 1956. He was a lumberman, farmer, sportsman and Consumer Power foreman. He married Harriet T. La Fleur, November 12, 1899. They had five children: Maly Lyle, Alvin Edwin, Georgia Rose, Grace Martha, Arbutus Burnice. William Kenneth, remained a bachelor until well into his 60's, he then married Bessie Spencer ___?____ a childhood sweetheart. Their years together were very happy. Faith, died at age 35 following heart surgery in Ann Arbor. Never married. Buried in Curtisville Cemetery. Frederick Goodfellow, born at Curtisville, Michigan in 1891. Died July 17. Married Mabel Beldon of Goodar, Michigan. They had nine childrem: Iladawn, America, Wanda, Audrey, Curtis, Larry, Joan, Sharon, Tamara. Daniel, born October 22, 1892. Raised by his grandmother and grandfather Curtis. Married Myrtle Bovia. They had three children: Olga, Chancey Dan (died at six weeks) and Richard (Shop teacher at Scottsville, Michigan).
[5.] William born in Maine and moved to Roseburg, Oregon. Three children (possibily four): William, Ethel, and Edith and possibly another girl.
[6.] Mary (Mame) born in Maine in 1861. Married Truman Simons January 19, 1879. Died in Curtisville, Michigan in 1949. Four Children: Eben, Cora, Elva and Richard (Dick).
[7.] Richard born December 11, 1868. Married Mary Goodfrellow. One son Charles, who later married Alice Simons. They had three sons: Vivian Eugene, Richard, and Stanley.
CUSHWAY FAMILY
Beumont Cushway attended the Hillside School during the period 1915-1917.
ELDEN FAMILY
In 1920, E. Elden owned a 160 acre farm located in the NE 1/3, Section 30, T.25 E. - R. 5 E., Curtis Township.
ELLIS FAMILY
The Ellis family came to work at Gates Camp from the Tawas are, sometime before the McMillens. The Ellis family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ellis, sons Claude and Jay, and daughter Lizzie.
Lizzie had a unique occupation. After leaving Curtisville, she worked in a silk worm factory at Greenville, Michigan. She married and had a daughter, Lucille Webb. Lizzie died young and Lucille came here to live under the guardianship of uncle Jay. Claude and Jay remained bachelors and spent their entire lives working in the Cedar swamps.
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Last updated on: Wednesday, December 27, 2000