San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 367-368
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/9/2009
FORNIA S. CURTIS
To the honor of being a native of the beautiful state of California Fornia S. Curtis adds the distinction of being the son of one of the state's sturdy pioneers, Bradner Curtis, who survived thirty-two years after locating here, yet lived to see many marvelous strides in civilization and to enjoy many of its benefits. He was born on the parental homestead in San Joaquin County, May 26, 1859, the youngest of four children born to Bradner and Kezia (Benton) Curtis, both natives of New York. Fornia S. Curtis was educated in the schools of his native county and remained at home assisting with the care and responsibility of the home ranch until his father's death in 1881. In 1882 the property was divided and Mr. Curtis raised grain on his and his mother's portion for a few years, then he raised garden truck on his share until he leased it for that same purpose and came to town. He still owns thirty-five acres of the old homestead which is farmed to truck produce and he is living in Stockton practically retired from active business cares.
On February 8, 1893, Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Trinnie M. Helmer, a native of San Francisco, born October 29, 1873, the daughter of William and Trinnie Helmer, natives of Canada and San Jose, Cal., respectively. Three children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis; Benton F. is a prominent Odd Fellow, being a past noble grand of Truth Lodge No. 55; past patriarch of Parker Encampment and a member of Canton Ridgley; he is a mechanical draftsman with the Stockton Iron Works; he married Miss Harriet Glover, a native of Stockton; Vernon W., the second son, is secretary of Meisner & Sons, Sacramento, a large manufacturing firm; he married Miss Frances McConlogue, born in Benecia, and they have one daughter, June Frances; Helmer B. is office manager for the National Cash Register Company in Stockton; he married Miss Hazel Allen of Healdsburg, Cal. In his political sentiments, Fornia S. Curtis is a Democrat, but notwithstanding this he never lets party lines prevent him from voting for the best candidate for the office in question. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church and has ever adhered to its teachings, and with his family is a communicant of St. John's Episcopal Church at Stockton, and one of its stanchest supporters, Mrs. Curtis is a member of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. and the Woman's Relief Corps G.A.R. Personally Mr. Curtis is a man of much worth, integrity and earnestness of purpose, and throughout San Joaquin County, where his entire life has been spent, he is esteemed as one of its best citizens.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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