The Family of Henry Curtis and Margaret Rhodes

Henry Wilkie Curtis, son of Lebbeus, was born on April 4, 1813 at Hatfield, Massachusetts. "Uncle Henry", as he seems to have been called, died at the home of his son John on February 6, 1891 at Avoca, Iowa. Henry was seventy-seven years, nine months and two days of age at the time of his death. He was buried on February 7, 1891 in Graceland Cemetery at Avoca, Iowa. He died intestate. A petition of probate was filed with the District Court of Pottawattamie County, Iowa on February 10, 1891. After an extensive evaluation of Henry's personal and real estate had been made and all outstanding accounts had been settled, the estate was approved for probate on May 8, 1892.

Henry married Margaret Drusilla Rhodes at Iona, New York on May 17, 1836 (May 17, 1837 according to Henry's obituary). Margaret was born on August 3, 1819 in Cayuga County, New York. Margaret died on September 9, 1889 at the family farm in Avoca, Iowa. She was buried on September 10, 1889 in Graceland Cemetery at Avoca, Iowa. She was a member of the Congregational Church.

Margaret left a last will and testament date the 20th of March 1888. In this document she made

"provision for my daughter Juvenalia I. Parsons in case of my death she never having received any portion of my estate and she and her husband being in poor health."

Margaret then gave

"unto my beloved daughter Juvenelia I. Parsons for her sole use and benefit Lots Eight, Nine, Ten and the south half of Eleven in Block thirty-six in Avoca, Iowa together with all of the fittings, furniture and other articles contained in my dwelling house situated thereon. Also my gold watch and chain."

Jennie L. was the administratrix of Margaret's estate. The probate began on February 24, 1890 and was not completed until March 13, 1891.

Henry and Margaret arrived in the area of Galesburg, Illinois in late 1836 (1837 according to Henry's obituary). They migrated to the area of Avoca, Iowa in the early 1870's.

Henry was a farmer by profession and apparently a large landowner both in Illinois and Iowa. He owned approximately 185 acres of land at the time of his death.

Henry and Margaret had six children.

1. Unnamed daughter was born and died in the area of Galesburg, Illinois.
2. Samuel Rhodes Curtis was born on February 23, 1841 near Tylerville, Illinois (presently known as Utah, Illinois). He died on March 13, 1910 at Audubon, Iowa.
3. Unnamed daughter was born and died in the area of Galesburg, Illinois.
4. John Henry Curtis was born on January 2, 1847 in Kelly Township, Warren County, Illinois. He died August 2, 1918 at Chanute, Kansas.
5. Juvenelia I. Curtis was born on November 26, 1848 in Warren County, Illinois.
6. Jennie L. Curtis was born on September 13, 1852 in Warren County, Illinois. She died on October 20, 1944 at Avoca, Iowa.

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