The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 476 JAMES LUTHER CURTIS. For only a comparatively brief period has James Luther Curtis lived in Washington, dating his residence in the Yakima valley from February, 1912, but through the intervening period he has made a creditable place as a capable, enterprising and alert orchardist, living on Pleasant hill. He was born in Porter county, Indiana, October 14, 1867, a son of H. L. and Mary V. (Curtis) Curtis, the former a native of New York city, while the latter was born in Connecticut. They became residents of Indiana when young people and in 1868 removed to Douglas county, Minnesota, making the journey to that state by team. The district in which they settled was largely a frontier region and the father purchased land from the government upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He performed the arduous task of developing the tract and converting it into rich and productive fields which would yield harvests sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities of life. Thereon he made his home to the time of his demise. James Luther Curtis acquired a public school education and took up the occupation of farming in Minnesota, where he had one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was busily employed in the further cultivation of his crops there until February, 1912, when he came to Yakima county and purchased a ten acre orchard on Pleasant hill, where he has since engaged in raising apples and pears. He is diligent and determined. He works industriously and his perseverance and energy have enabled him to overcome all obstacles in his path and advance steadily toward the goal of success. On the 26th of November, 1890, Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Mabel Alice Ellsworth, who was born in Douglas county, Minnesota, being the first white child born in Belle River township. Her parents were Andrew and Delia (Griffin) Ellsworth, who were natives of Massachusetts and became pioneer residents of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had four children: Hazel, who died at the age of seven years; Willis, who was born August 12, 1893, and is now with the united States Army in France as a member of Battery E, Three Hundred and Forty-sixth Field Artillery; Phillip, who was born April 12, 1895, and is a member of the same command; and Grace, who was born August 16, 1898, and is at home. She is a graduate off the Selah high school. The parents have every reason to be proud of the two sons, both of whom enlisted in 1917 and about the 13th of July, 1918, sailed for France, where they have since engaged in active duty, defending not only American interests but also taking their part in bringing about the democratization of Europe. The elder son, Willis, married Zada Krabill. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis and their daughter are members of the Methodist church, and in politics Mr. Curtis is usually a republican but does not consider himself bound by party ties and at local elections frequently casts an independent ballot. The family is highly esteemed in the community where they make their home, substantial traits of character gaining for them high regard. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.