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Sterling Pemberton Curtis

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Sterling Pemberton Curtis

Birth
Oakland, Coles County, Illinois, USA
Death
6 Jun 1932 (aged 73)
Oakland, Coles County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Oakland, Coles County, Illinois, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Son of Philander & Elizabeth Curtis, husband of Susan A Taber, married August 18, 1879 Coles County, Illinois

S. P. Curtis, of Oakland, Ill., nephew of Justice Curtis, was in the city last night on his way to Wellington, Kansas to visit his brother, Carlos Curtis, who is maayor of that city.

Daliy Republican, Decatur, Illinois, February 21, 1888 Tuesday Evening

Oakland's Oldest Business Man and One of Our Most Respected Citizens Passes to Reward Monday Morning

Death came Monday morning at 1:45 and claimed one of Oakland's leading citizens, also our oldest business man, S. P. Curtis. Some time ago Mr. Curtis suffered a severe attack of flu, from which he never fully recovered, although he was able to be up town after a partial recovery. Last week he was again taken ill and pneumonia developed, taking his life after a few days illness. His countless friends were shocked to hear of his death as few knew that his condition was so serious.
With the passing of S. P. Curtis a pillar in the "Temple of God" has fallen and the life on which hundreds have leaned for a full half century has suddenly slipped away leaving a lonesome place in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
But as we turn our tearful eyes from the finite scene of the present to the "Paradise of God," we see a shining shaft of light, and years.
Mr. Curtis has served different terms on the city council, was for sixteen yesrs township school trustee, served also three years term on the State Board of Control of the five Teachers' Colleges.
Mrs. Curtis, who was universally loved and respected, passed on in January, 1931, and Mr. Curtis at the age of 73 past was still recognized up to his death as progressive in spirit and said among his last words, "That his greatest joy after a lifetime in Oakland was that there was no man, woman or child but who greets him with a kindly smile."
AWAY
I cannot say, and I will no say
That he is dead. He is just away!
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there,
And you--oh you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-timestep and the glad return
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There, as the Love of Here.
Think of him still as the same, I say,
He is not dead--he is just away.
--James Whitcomb Riley

Sterling Pemberton Curtis was born June 19, 1858, in Oakland, Ill., died June 6, 1932, in his beautiful hoome residence on East Main street, age 73 years, 11 months and 17 days.
Mr. Curtis was the last leaf on the family tree to fall, being next to the youngest of a family of seven, all of whom are deceased. He was married to Susan A. Taber, August 18, 1879. Two children were born to this happy union, Herbert T., who died in infancy, and Chase L., who attained the age of ten years. He is survived by a number of nieces, Mrs. Lyda Darrow, of Stroud, Okla.; Mrs. Dot Smith, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Gladys Potter, Enid, Okla.; Mrs. Marie Beck, New York; Mrs. Nora Bauer, South America; Mrs. Elizabeth DuBridge, Chicago; Mrs. Mabelle Weaver, Oakland; and Lee R. Brown, nephew, New Jersey.
"Sunset and evening star
And after that the dark
And may there be no moaning at the bar,
When I embark on its smooth and stately surface, read: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God."
The life and character and career of Mr. Curtis need not be recorded on printed pages in order to be preserved, but these will be indelibly inscribed in the minds and hearts of a proud citizenship for generations yet to come. As a Christian, Mr. Curtis early in life united with the Methodist church of Oakland and enjoyed unbroken fellowship with its membership for more than sixty years. During those years of faithful connection, he served officially as Sunday School superintendent, church steward and at his death was president of the Board of Trustees. He was a regular church and Sunday School attendant. Mr. Curtis not only pioneered in many county and community enterprises but was a public spirited man in every respect.
For more than 50 years Mr. Curtis has been in the mercantile business in Oakland which is the longest continuous business record of any man in Coles county. He was alone in business for one year, then formed a partnership with J. F. Reel, known as Curtis & Reel and continued in that name for ten years. In 1891, A. M. Shafer and C. J. Taber entered the firm and in 1893 moved into the building then now occupy. Mr. Reel retired and lated D. E. Weaver came into the firm, and has been connected with it for twenty-one.
Funeral services were held in the Oakland M. E. church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Van B. Sullins officiating, assisted by Rev. W. G. Montgomery of Cowden. The church was filled to capacity with relatives and friends and many could not find seats. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The flowers were in charge of the Eastern Star lodge. Mrs. Beulah Hanssen and Mrs. Bae Cash sang three numbers. The Oakland Masonic Lodge took charge of the services and put on their beautiful rites at the cemetery. Fred Munson, of Arcola, grand lecturer for the Masonic Lodge, gave the work in a beautiful manner. Pallbearers were T. O. Moffett, Frank Orrick, S. W. Harper, W. A. Reeds, Edgar Ashmore and C. Z. Norton.
All places of business in Oakland closed during the services as a token of respect for Mr. Curtis.
ATTEND FUNERAL
The following from out of town attended the funeral:
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Bradburry, Arcola; Mr. and Mrs. John Vanvoris,Mr. and Mrs. Willis Vanvoris, Mrs. Emma Curtis, Miss Walsh, of Tuscola; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Gillis, Art Gillis, Mrs. Cooper and daughter and Mrs. Maude Johnson, of Terre Haute; Claude Curtis, Paris; Wm. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Will Ashmore, Bain Winter, Geo. Gray, J. W. Alexander, Charleston; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, Oler Langley and sister, Hindsboro; Mr. and Mrs. John Ashmore, Arthur; T. S. Burgett, Angus McIntyre, Mrs. Don McIntyre, Brown Rutherford, Newman; Mrs. Billy Berry, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. James McIntyre and Eleanor, Miss Glenadine Weaver, Chicago; Mrs. J. T. Cunningham, Mrs. Minter, Indianapolis; Mrs. W. J. Potter, Curtis and Cornelia, Enid, Okla.; Mrs. F. A. DuBridge, Chicago; Rev. W. G. Montgomery and son Willard, Cowden; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curtis, Decatur; Mr. and Mrs. Will Scott, Monticello; Fred Munson, Arcola; Dean Thompson of School of Commerce, Urbana; Mrs. Myrtle Reed, Scott Ford, Ashmore; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Stapp, Chrisman; Mrs. Sarah Staley, Terre Haute; Sanford Albion, Stanley Burgett, Newman.
Son of Philander & Elizabeth Curtis, husband of Susan A Taber, married August 18, 1879 Coles County, Illinois

S. P. Curtis, of Oakland, Ill., nephew of Justice Curtis, was in the city last night on his way to Wellington, Kansas to visit his brother, Carlos Curtis, who is maayor of that city.

Daliy Republican, Decatur, Illinois, February 21, 1888 Tuesday Evening

Oakland's Oldest Business Man and One of Our Most Respected Citizens Passes to Reward Monday Morning

Death came Monday morning at 1:45 and claimed one of Oakland's leading citizens, also our oldest business man, S. P. Curtis. Some time ago Mr. Curtis suffered a severe attack of flu, from which he never fully recovered, although he was able to be up town after a partial recovery. Last week he was again taken ill and pneumonia developed, taking his life after a few days illness. His countless friends were shocked to hear of his death as few knew that his condition was so serious.
With the passing of S. P. Curtis a pillar in the "Temple of God" has fallen and the life on which hundreds have leaned for a full half century has suddenly slipped away leaving a lonesome place in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
But as we turn our tearful eyes from the finite scene of the present to the "Paradise of God," we see a shining shaft of light, and years.
Mr. Curtis has served different terms on the city council, was for sixteen yesrs township school trustee, served also three years term on the State Board of Control of the five Teachers' Colleges.
Mrs. Curtis, who was universally loved and respected, passed on in January, 1931, and Mr. Curtis at the age of 73 past was still recognized up to his death as progressive in spirit and said among his last words, "That his greatest joy after a lifetime in Oakland was that there was no man, woman or child but who greets him with a kindly smile."
AWAY
I cannot say, and I will no say
That he is dead. He is just away!
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there,
And you--oh you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-timestep and the glad return
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There, as the Love of Here.
Think of him still as the same, I say,
He is not dead--he is just away.
--James Whitcomb Riley

Sterling Pemberton Curtis was born June 19, 1858, in Oakland, Ill., died June 6, 1932, in his beautiful hoome residence on East Main street, age 73 years, 11 months and 17 days.
Mr. Curtis was the last leaf on the family tree to fall, being next to the youngest of a family of seven, all of whom are deceased. He was married to Susan A. Taber, August 18, 1879. Two children were born to this happy union, Herbert T., who died in infancy, and Chase L., who attained the age of ten years. He is survived by a number of nieces, Mrs. Lyda Darrow, of Stroud, Okla.; Mrs. Dot Smith, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Gladys Potter, Enid, Okla.; Mrs. Marie Beck, New York; Mrs. Nora Bauer, South America; Mrs. Elizabeth DuBridge, Chicago; Mrs. Mabelle Weaver, Oakland; and Lee R. Brown, nephew, New Jersey.
"Sunset and evening star
And after that the dark
And may there be no moaning at the bar,
When I embark on its smooth and stately surface, read: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God."
The life and character and career of Mr. Curtis need not be recorded on printed pages in order to be preserved, but these will be indelibly inscribed in the minds and hearts of a proud citizenship for generations yet to come. As a Christian, Mr. Curtis early in life united with the Methodist church of Oakland and enjoyed unbroken fellowship with its membership for more than sixty years. During those years of faithful connection, he served officially as Sunday School superintendent, church steward and at his death was president of the Board of Trustees. He was a regular church and Sunday School attendant. Mr. Curtis not only pioneered in many county and community enterprises but was a public spirited man in every respect.
For more than 50 years Mr. Curtis has been in the mercantile business in Oakland which is the longest continuous business record of any man in Coles county. He was alone in business for one year, then formed a partnership with J. F. Reel, known as Curtis & Reel and continued in that name for ten years. In 1891, A. M. Shafer and C. J. Taber entered the firm and in 1893 moved into the building then now occupy. Mr. Reel retired and lated D. E. Weaver came into the firm, and has been connected with it for twenty-one.
Funeral services were held in the Oakland M. E. church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Van B. Sullins officiating, assisted by Rev. W. G. Montgomery of Cowden. The church was filled to capacity with relatives and friends and many could not find seats. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The flowers were in charge of the Eastern Star lodge. Mrs. Beulah Hanssen and Mrs. Bae Cash sang three numbers. The Oakland Masonic Lodge took charge of the services and put on their beautiful rites at the cemetery. Fred Munson, of Arcola, grand lecturer for the Masonic Lodge, gave the work in a beautiful manner. Pallbearers were T. O. Moffett, Frank Orrick, S. W. Harper, W. A. Reeds, Edgar Ashmore and C. Z. Norton.
All places of business in Oakland closed during the services as a token of respect for Mr. Curtis.
ATTEND FUNERAL
The following from out of town attended the funeral:
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Bradburry, Arcola; Mr. and Mrs. John Vanvoris,Mr. and Mrs. Willis Vanvoris, Mrs. Emma Curtis, Miss Walsh, of Tuscola; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Gillis, Art Gillis, Mrs. Cooper and daughter and Mrs. Maude Johnson, of Terre Haute; Claude Curtis, Paris; Wm. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Will Ashmore, Bain Winter, Geo. Gray, J. W. Alexander, Charleston; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, Oler Langley and sister, Hindsboro; Mr. and Mrs. John Ashmore, Arthur; T. S. Burgett, Angus McIntyre, Mrs. Don McIntyre, Brown Rutherford, Newman; Mrs. Billy Berry, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. James McIntyre and Eleanor, Miss Glenadine Weaver, Chicago; Mrs. J. T. Cunningham, Mrs. Minter, Indianapolis; Mrs. W. J. Potter, Curtis and Cornelia, Enid, Okla.; Mrs. F. A. DuBridge, Chicago; Rev. W. G. Montgomery and son Willard, Cowden; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curtis, Decatur; Mr. and Mrs. Will Scott, Monticello; Fred Munson, Arcola; Dean Thompson of School of Commerce, Urbana; Mrs. Myrtle Reed, Scott Ford, Ashmore; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Stapp, Chrisman; Mrs. Sarah Staley, Terre Haute; Sanford Albion, Stanley Burgett, Newman.


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