Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on November 16, 2018

The death of Charles Curtis, Civil War veteran of Williamstown, occurred in late February of 1905.  The local newspapers reported it as follows:

From the West Schuylkill Herald of Tower City, 24 February 1905:

Word was received here on Thursday afternoon of the serious illness of Charles Curtis, one of Williamstown‘s most highly respected citizens.  His death was expected at any hour.

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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 3 March 1905:

CHARLES CURTIS

Charles Curtis, aged 62 years, died at his home at Williamstown on Thursday evening of last week after a protracted illness.  His death was expected for several days.  For the past five years he was the proprietor of the Mansion House at that place and his genial and accommodating manners made for him a large host of friends, not only among his home people, but also among the traveling public.  He was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted as a member of Company I, 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers [48th Pennsylvania Infantry].  He was enrolled 15 August 1861 when 19 years of age and reenlisted as a veteran 1 January 1864 and was honorably discharged from near Alexandria, Virginia, 17 July 1865, after a somewhat protracted illness.  He was born in York County, resided at Lebanon and at Patterson, Schuylkill County, and for 34 years has been a resident of Williamstown.

He was the father of 15 children.  A wife, who was formerly Miss Amanda Madenford, of Tamaqua, and 12 children who survive him.  His father who is still living, resides in Philadelphia and is high in the 80s.  The deceased was a member in good standing of Middleport Lodge, I.O.O.F., and of Williamstown Lodge, K. of P.  The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon at two o’clock and was largely attended.  His comrades of the 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the G.A.R., also the above named lodges attended.

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From the Lykens Standard, 3 March 1905:

CHARLES F. CURTIS

One by one the “Boys in Blue” are being summoned to the last roll call by the great trumpeter, Death.  Sunday the remains of the popular and jovial Charles Curtis of Williamstown were followed to their last resting place in the Evangelical Cemetery in that place by his comrades in arms to pay the last tribute of respect to one who served his country faithfully and well in her time of peril.

Deceased was born in York County 63 years ago.  At the age of 19 years he enlisted in the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which he served until the close of the was, when he was honorably discharged.  In 1864 he married Miss Amanda Maidenford, at Tamaqua, who with 12 children survive, three having preceded their father in death.  The family resided a while at Patterson, Schuylkill County, from which place they mover to Williamstown 35 years ago, where deceased for a number of years carried on the shoemaking business, after which he engaged in the hotel business at the Mansion House until it was purchased by the present proprietor, I. Edwards. Since then he made his home with hi s son Harvey.  Although a sufferer from dropsy and other ailments, through the tender care of his wife and children he improved wonderfully, and on the occasion of the funeral of Abel Lehman, he braved the cold to pay the last respect to an old friend.  His many acquaintances were pleased to see him about again and hoped for his speedy recovery, but last week he was seized with hemorrhages which resulted in his death Friday night at 11 o’clock.

Deceased was a member of the K. of P., Odd Fellows, Grand Army and Women’s Relief Corps of Williamstown, all of which were represented at the funeral.  The Red Men’s fife and drum corps also turned out and played a dead march on the way to the cemetery, and a firing squad under command of David Watkeys fired three volleys over the old veteran’s grave.  The pallbearers were Richard McCready, Charles Culton, I. L. Lautenbacher, from the K. of P., and John Kessler, William Martz and Jacob Clouser from the Grand Army.

Services were conducted at his late home by Rev. Stocking of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The surviving children are:  William Curtis, Allen Curtis, Peter Curtis, Hiram Curtis, Hattie Curtis (Mrs. Shotwell), and Fannie Curtis, all of Philadelphia; Carrie Curtis (Mrs. Albert Roerig), and Pearl Curtis of Pottsville; Harry Curtis, Annie Curtis (Mrs. L. C. Carl), Thesla Curtis, and Florence Curtis, of Williamstown, all of whom attended the funeral.  Others from a distance noticed at the funeral were Mr. Roerig, Pottsville; Frank Maidenford and wife, Harrisburg; Mrs. Charles Reidinger and the Misses Conrad, Pottsville; R. Bennett, Philadelphia; Mrs. Fred Kniley, Lykens; John Mark and wife, Fred Kniley, Wiconisco; W. W. Frank, Tower City.

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News clippings from Newspapers.com.

Category: Research, Stories
Tags: G.A.R., Lykens, Tower City, Wiconisco, Williamstown