James Newton McCurdy

     James was born on Monday, 3 September 1838 at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. He was the son of William M. McCurdy I and Zilpha Matthews. James married Malissa Lower in 1867 at Waterloo, Fayette County, Indiana. James was a man "of more than ordinary learning". He was fascinated by & sought to comprehend the great wonders of nature. He was alert to the current events of the world. He fought in the Civil War. He was in Company C, 49th Ohio Infantry [stated on his grave] & had a creditable record. He was believed to have lost his hearing as a result of canon fire while he was in the Civil War. It has been noted that many in his family had hearing problems. He also took great interest in World War I to the point of knitting socks for the men in France. He resided on his father's homestead near the Normal Hill schoolhouse until his death. Malissa was quite frail for quite some time but was able to remain in their home until her death - she being confined to her bed just the day before. Their children Mamie, Gertie & Oma lived there for the remainder of their lives. After Mamie died in 1948, the farm was sold. James had photography for a hobby. He had his own dark room in his home. 30 June 1870, James and his wife, Malissa, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were James N. McCurty [31 Ohio - teacher], Melissa [29 Ohio].¹ 18 June 1880, James and his wife, Malissa, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were James N. McCurdy [41 Ohio], Melissa [40 Ohio], Ida [9 Ohio], Myrtle [6 Ohio], Mamie [4 Ohio], Gertie [2 Ohio], Roy [3 mos. Ohio]. He was a sewing machine agent.² 1900, James and his wife, Malissa, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were James N. McCurdy [Sep 1838 - 61 Ohio], Melissa [Feb 1840 - 60 Ohio], Sadie M. [Apr 1874 - 26 Ohio], Mammie B. [May 1876 - 24 Ohio], Gertrude [June 1877 - 22 Ohio], Roy [March 1880 - 20 Ohio], Oma [Nov 1882 - 17 Ohio].³ 1910, James and his wife, Malissa, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were James McCurdy [71 Ohio], Melissa [70 Ohio], Mamie [33 Ohio], Gertrude [32 Ohio], Oma [27 Ohio], Cecil [7 Ohio - grandson]. James & Melissa had been married 42 years with 7 children & 6 still living.⁴ James departed this life on Thursday, 10 January 1918 at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio, at age 79 years, 4 months and 7 days. James was laid to rest in the Crall Cemetery [Liberty Chapel], Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio, in grave number 170.