The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1892-01-01
sTEPNEY.
BARNuM CURTIS,

hs Aaiie btlc SGuTuy OAK CIlaG mas long
Withstood the tempests, even after d
lightning bolt has ended its vigorous
growth for years, so closed the life OF
Barnum Curtis, SO long identified with
the activities of mill and store that cen.
ter about Stepney Depot, on Christmas
night. Pneumonia finally killed him
with agonizing pain, after he had long
borne troubles that would have wrecked
less vigorous system. The funeral
was attended from the Baptist church at
Stepney, of which Mr. Curtis was so long
e a member, Rev DR. w. V. Garner officiat-
ing, as Rev j. F. Temple, former pas
tor whom Mr. Curtis wished secured, il
possible, was detained by sickness.
Bearers: Dea Burr Hawley, Dea E. A.
Daley, Stephen French, John t. Porter
Barnnm Curtis was born in Southbury
January 81, 1907. At 16 years of age, he
went to learn the blacksmith trade and
worked five years with one Kelsey. To
show the poverty of his early years, MI
Curtis used to relate that Kelsey was to
furnish him with board and clothes, but
did not always furnish shoes and the
young Barnum had to protect his bare
feet, sometimes, from the sparks of the
anvil by covering them with his leather
apron. Mr. Curtis united with the Bap-
fist church in Zoar, Newtown, in early
life and, November %, 1923, married Miss
Lavinla, daughter of Amos Plat, mil
Ter. Mr. Curtis worked in his father-in-
laws mill at Woodbury. for eight years
and then worked for year and half in
his Plattsville mill. He started for him
self in 1910, when he bought half inter-
est in the Stepney Depot business of Capt
Andrew Leavenworth, buying out the
other half interest at Capt Leavenworth's
death. Mr. Curtis also bought the depot
business and store and put them In charge
Of George Moke, but sold this out when
Capt Leavenworth died.
Mr. Curtis rebuilt all the buildings,
house, store and mills, his knowledge of
blacksmthing standing him in stead as
long as he was able to work. In 1865,
Mr. Curtis took his son, Andrew B., into
partnership and the firm name has since
remained B. Curtis & Son. Mr. Curtis
lost his first wife, mother of Andrew b.
and Eliza, November |, 1850. Eliza mar
ried Charles w. Northrop and died at
Bridgeport, leaving son, who afterward
died at GAINESVILLE, Wis. July ID, 1851,
Mr. Curtis married Eunice NJ Morehouse,
who died February %, 1862. He married
Martha L. Allen, mother of Mrs Jennie
l.. Willett of Bridgeport, who has been
with her father through all his last sick
Der 10, 1888 and Mr. Curtis then married
Mrs Mary A. Coles of Manchester, Conn,
who survives him, though weak with
sickness. Mr. Curtis was a man strictly
devoted to business, of unswerving in
tegrity, with not Il lazy bone in his body.
The family desire to return thanks to
friends who have assisted and kindly
cheered them in their hour of bereave-
ment. One brother survives, Lewis Cur
tbs of Huntington and a sister, Mrs Stiles
johnson of White Hills.
The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union will meet, Wednesday, 9th.
On Christmas day, Mr. and Mrs George
S.Coley made welcome, to their pleasant
home and bounteous table, Mr. and Mrs
Charles Potter, Mr. and Mrs Pc. Abbott,
Mr. and Mrs William G. Coley and baby
Jeanie," Mr. and Mrs Julius Benham and
Miss Susie Lockwood, all of Bridgeport.
Misses Ellen and Florence Hayes of
New Haven were home for Xmas.
Mr. and Mrs w. o. Purdy of Brooklyn
are guests of Postmaster Purdy.
Charles C. Sherman of New Haven is
visiting his sister, Mrs c. E. Osborne.
Mrs ClarisSa Clingan of New York
spent the holiday season with her moth
er, Mrs Thomas Clingan.
Mrs Levi Curtis (Susan j. Toucey) for
merly resident of Newtown, also of
Trumbull, was buried here, Wednesday.
Mr. Curtiss died, several years ago, at
the West.
Miss Lille Hull is spending her vaca-
ton visiting friends in New York and
Brooklyn.
Mrs l.. o, Osborne spent Christmas in
Danbury with her brother, Harry Mich
OILS, the popular meat dealer.
Fourth quarterly conference at the par
sonage, Saturday evening at z.
The presiding elder will preach in the
NJ. E. church, Sunday morning at 10 80.
The w. Turney Mfg. Co. want sewing
machine operators and guarantee steady
work.
The Bridgeport papers report that B.
(BenjaminD Hawley had his left leg
broken, Tuesday and that it was set at
the emergency hospital.