Jess Fern McCurdy

     Jess was born on Wednesday, 7 May 1902 at Williamsburg, Franklin County, Kansas. He was the son of Grace M. McCurdy. 4 February 1920, Jess was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Robey Street, Williamsburg, Franklin County, Kansas,, in the home of his grandmother. Enumerated in this household were V. Endicott [55 Illinois], her son: Jerry McCurdy [32 Kansas] & her grandson: Fern [17 Kansas].¹ 7 April 1930, the U.S. Federal Census lists Jess was residing in a rooming house at 28 E. 32nd Street, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. Enumerated in this household were Jessie C. Davis [56 Georgia - widow], daughter: Lottie M. Leon [37 North Carolina], lodgers: Jesse F. McCurdy [27 Kansas] & Ray M. Fitch [36 Missouri]. Jessie is a proprietor of a boarding house. Jesse is a bookeeper for an insurance company. Ray is a shorthand reporter for the court.² Jess married Ella M. Schweitzer on 24 August 1935 at Lexington, Lafayette County, Missouri. 14 April 1940, Jess and his wife, Ella, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 4647 Fairground Street, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. Enumerated in this household were Jess F. McCurdy [37 Kansas] & his wife: Ella [36 Oklahoma]. Jess completed 3 years of college & Ella 4 years of high school. He was a loss adjuster for an insurance company & Ella a cashier for a savings & loan.³ Jess departed this life on Wednesday, 6 August 1947 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, at age 45 years, 2 months and 30 days. [Obituary: The Ottawa Herald\, - 7 August 1947] He was buried on 9 August 1947 at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Williamsburg, Franklin County, Kansas, in the west section, row 6.⁴ Jess was the assistant local manager for the Hartford Insurance Company. He moved to Kansas in 1927 from Chicago. He was a Mason, a member of the Westport Presbyterian Church & Good Fellowship Club of Kansas City.