Chauncey W. Curtis, a well-known dealer in tin and hardware at Osborne, was born in Livingston County, Mich., on September 14, 1842. His parents were Lyman and Rachel (Chrispell) Curtis, who were of English and German descent, and natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. After their marriage they immigrated to Michigan, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade in connection with farming. About 1860 they removed from Livingston County to Shiawassee County, where the mother died about 1866. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. About 1867 the father went to Northwest Indiana, where he lived three years, whence after living with his son, Chauncey W., two years, he removed to Logan County, Ohio, where he now resides. He was born January 29, 1806. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. The subject of this sketch is the third of five sons. He received a good practical education, and remained on his father's farm until 1862, when he entered the United States service, and enlisted in Company H, Ninth Michigan Regiment of Infantry. Three months later he received a discharge on account of a wound, received at Newberg, Shiawassee Co., Mich. In December, 1863, he went to Elkhart County, Ind., and at Middlesbury served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade with O. O. & A. S. Prescott, until July, 1864. He then worked at his trade successively at Chattanooga, Tenn., Shiawassee County, Mich., and Middlebury, Ind. After two years he went to Hancock County, Ohio, and on March 28, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Icelid D. T. Blakely. Upon marrying he went into the tin and hardware business with his father-in-law, Stephen Blakely. They continued in business at different places until 1870, when Mr. Curtis opened up a tin and hardware store at Osborne. After four years he sold out to P. M. Hatch, and removed to Logan County, Ohio, and at Quincy he and a younger brother, E. F. Curtis, opened a general hardware store, which they controlled over four years. He then began his present business. He sustained a loss by fire in 1884, but after three months was doing business again. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had two children: Edwin C., who died in infancy, and Zelora. Politically, he is a Republican, and at present is a magistrate. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Church.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 557-558.