William Willis Curtis Papers, 1826-1968, undated | Oberlin College Archives

By Roland Baumann

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Collection Overview

Title: William Willis Curtis Papers, 1826-1968, undated

Predominant Dates:1863-1913

ID: RG 30/071

Primary Creator: Curtis, William Willis (1845-1913)

Extent: 3.45 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I. Biographical Files and Genealogical Records, 1913, 1968, undated (5 folders, 0.40 l.f.)

Contains an obituary and life sketch of Curtis in the publication The Plantation Missionary (Beliot, Alabama: Industrial Missionary Association, Vol. XXIV, No. 3, May and June 1913). Also included are four folders related to the Curtis Family Genealogy (n.d.).

Series II. Education Files, 1870-73 (3 volumes, 0.20 l.f.)

Notes for lectures while Curtis was a student at the Chicago Theological Seminary, 1870-73.

Series III. Diaries of W.W. Curtis and L.V. Curtis, 1865-68, 1871, 1880-81, 1884, 1892-1911, 1913, undated (30 volumes, 0.40 l.f.)

Consists of diaries of William Curtis (29 volumes) and one diary of his second wife, Lydia Virginia Cone Curtis, documenting missionary work in Japan from 1865-1913.

Series IV. Miscellaneous Financial Records

Dates: 1863-64, 1874, 1886, 1894, 1898, 1906-07

Folders: 6 volumes

Series V. Letters and Miscellany

Dates: 1879, undated

Folders: 2 folders and 5 volumes

Series VI. Miscellaneous Notebooks

Dates: 1873-74, 1883, 1884-86, 1888-97, 1900-01, 1905, 1907, 1910-13, undated

Folders: 22 volumes

Series VII. Files Relating to the Missionary Experience in Japan

Dates: 1912, undated

Folders: 5 volumes

Series VIII. Files Relating to the Industrial Mission in Alabama

Dates: 1905-07, 1912

Folders: 2 volumes

Series IX. Miscellaneous Notebooks on Books and Reading

Dates: 1866, 1875-76, 1899-1901, undated

Folders: 7 volumes

Series X. Miscellaneous Books (various)

Dates: 1867, 1875-77, 1892, 1899

Folders: 4 volumes

Series XI. "Notes on W.W. Curtis in Japan, 1877-96," typescript (includes other related material), rec'd in 5 July 1973

Dates: undated

Folders: 1

Series XII. Photographs

Dates: 1881, 1885, 1891-92, 1894-95, 1897-1901, 1913, 1921, 1925-26, 1929-32, 1934, 1936-37, 1940-41, 1950, undated

Folders: 6

Date Acquired: 04/19/1973. More info below under Accruals.

Forms of Material: diaries, lecture notes, manuscripts, photographs, photographs - photographic prints, publications, records (documents)

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The papers of William Willis Curtis consist mainly of diaries, notebooks, and correspondence. The diaries and notebooks contain a partial record of events, accounts, and miscellany of which most was kept during the period in Japan, mainly Osaka, Sendai, and Sapporo. Series VII and Series XI contain records related to missionary work in Japan. Curtis was involved in operating boys’ schools and, in the 1890s, he worked in prisons. After 1900, the family letters in Series V. Letters and Miscellany are primarily letters written by Curtis to his family and relatives while he was traveling for the Industrial Mission of Alabama (IMA). The correspondence, which includes letters written by Mrs. Curtis and the Curtis children, concern family history and relatives, Oberlin, and the work of William Curtis. Series VIII contains accounts written by Curtis while working for the IMA (1905-07, 1912).

Note: Entry taken from William E. Bigglestone’s unpublished “[preliminary] Guide to the Oberlin College Archives,” which was prepared as individual entry sheets in a three-ring binder during the early 1980s.

Collection Historical Note

W.W. Curtis, an ordained minister who devoted his professional life to foreign and domestic missionary work, was born in Waukesha, WI on June 29, 1845. In 1864-65, he enrolled in Beloit College as a preparatory student, during which time he served 100 days as a part of the 40th Wisconsin Infantry Unit to fulfill quota commitments for the Civil War. Following family tradition he entered Beloit, graduating with an AB degree in 1870. He served both at the Junior and Senior Class President and participated in choral and debate groups on campus. Study at the Chicago Theological Seminary resulted in a B-Div degree (1870-73) and in an additional year at Beloit he earned a MA (1874). He then began his pastoral work in churches at Calumet, MI (1873-76), and Hancock, MI (1976-77).

In 1877, he married Delia Eliza Harris of Evansville, WI (O.C. conservatory, 1875-77), director of the choir at his church in Calumet, Michigan. Drawn by a strong drive to become missionaries, the couple left for Japan soon after their wedding to begin their missionary career under the auspices of the American Board and Foreign Missions, teaching in Osaka and Sendai (1877-83). In addition to teaching, they compiled Praise Songs With Music, published in 1882, the first tune book used by Japanese Christians. Delia died suddenly on October 13, 1880. On February 25, 1885, Curtis married Lydia Virginia Cone (O.C., AB 1880) of Madison, OR. The pair continued to work in Japan before Lydia's deteriorating health forced them to return to the United States. They and their four children (Edith, b. 1883, Otis, b. 1885, Howard C., Ralph W.) moved to Oberlin, OH in 1900, making their home on Woodland Street, although Lydia was in and out of sanitaria for the rest of her life.

Using Oberlin as his base, Curtis spent the next eight years (1905-13) as a field agent for his brother's group, Industrial Mission in Alabama. He died suddenly on April 11, 1913, at a railroad station in Ashtabula, OH, while en route to N. Girard, OH, as part of an extended trip proselytizing for this group. Curtis was buried in Oberlin.

Administrative Information

Repository: Oberlin College Archives

Accruals: Accession No: 193.

Access Restrictions: Unrestricted.

Acquisition Method: The papers of William W. Curtis were received from William D. Lewis on 19 April 1973.

Finding Aid Revision History: Processed by Roland M. Baumann, 1999. Revised February 2005 by Archives staff; April 2007 by Emma Anderson.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Biographical Files and Genealogical Records, 1913-1968, undated],
[Series II: Education Files, 1870-1873],
[Series III: Diaries of W.W. Curtis and L.V. Curtis, 1865-1913],
[Series IV: Miscellaneous Financial Records, 1863-1907],
[Series V: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930, undated],
[Series VI: Miscellaneous Notebooks, 1873-1913],
[Series VII: Files Relating to the Missionary Experience in Japan, 1912, undated],
[Series VIII: Files Relating to the Industrial Mission in Alabama, 1905-1912],
[Series IX: Miscellaneous Notebooks on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated],
[Series X: Miscellaneous Books (Various), 1867-1899],
[Series XI: "Notes on W.W. Curtis in Japan, 1877-1896," Typescript, undated],
[Series XII: Photographs, 1881-1950, undated],
[All]

Series I: Biographical Files and Genealogical Records, 1913-1968, undated

Box 1

Folder 1: Information about William Willis Curtis, 1913-1968
Folder 2: Curtis Family Genealogy, undated
Folder 3: Curtis Family Genealogy, undated
Folder 4: Curtis Family Genealogy, undated
Folder 5: Curtis Family Genealogy, undated

Series II: Education Files, 1870-1873

Box 2

Item 1: Theological Seminary Notes, 1870-1873
Item 2: Theological Seminary Notes, 1870-1873
Item 3: Theological Seminary Notes, 1870-1873

Series III: Diaries of W.W. Curtis and L.V. Curtis, 1865-1913

Box 3A

Item 1: L.V. Curtis Diary, 1894-1903
Item 2: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 3: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 4: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 5: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 6: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 7: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 8: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 9: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 10: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 11: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 12: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 13: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 14: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 15: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 16: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 17: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 18: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 19: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 20: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 21: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 22: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 23: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 24: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 25: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 26: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 27: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 28: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 29: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913
Item 30: W.W. Curtis Diaries, 1865-1913

Box 3B

Item 1: Diaries of W.W. and L.V. Curtis

Series IV: Miscellaneous Financial Records, 1863-1907

Box 4

Item 1: W.W. Curtis Personal Cash Accounts, 1863-1864
Item 2: W.W. Curtis Personal Cash Accounts, 1874
Item 3: W.W. Curtis Personal Cash Accounts, 1894
Item 4: W.W. Curtis Personal Cash Accounts, 1898
Item 5: W.W. Curtis Personal Cash Accounts, 1906-1907
Item 6: W.W. Curtis Japan Mission Cash Account, 1886

Series V: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930, undated

Box 4

Folder 7: Undated Letters and Notes, undated
Folder 8: Asher Wright Curtis' Letters, 1879: Brother of W.W. Curtis

Box 5

Item 1: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930
Item 2: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930
Item 3: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930
Item 4: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930
Item 5: Letters and Miscellany, 1826-1930

Series VI: Miscellaneous Notebooks, 1873-1913

Box 6

Item 1: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 2: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 3: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 4: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 5: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 6: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 7: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 8: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 9: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 10: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 11: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 12: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 13: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 14: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 15: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 16: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 17: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 18: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 19: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 20: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 21: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated
Item 22: W.W. Curtis Miscellaneous Notes, 1873-1913, undated: 1873-1874, 1883, 1884-1886, 1888-1897, 1900-1901, 1905, 1907, 1910-1913, undated

Series VII: Files Relating to the Missionary Experience in Japan, 1912, undated

Box 6

Item 23: W.W. Curtis Notes on Japan, undated
Item 24: W.W. Curtis Notes on Japan, undated
Folder 25: W.W. Curtis Japanese Language Notes, undated
Folder 26: W.W. Curtis Japanese Proverbs, 1912
Folder 27: W.W. Curtis Notes on the Japanese Education System, undated: See also Series IV, Japan Mission Cash Account

Series VIII: Files Relating to the Industrial Mission in Alabama, 1905-1912

Box 6

Item 28: W.W. Curtis IMA Accounts, 1905-1912
Item 29: W.W. Curtis IMA Accounts, 1905-1912

Series IX: Miscellaneous Notebooks on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated

Box 7

Item 1: W.W. Curtis Notes on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated
Item 2: W.W. Curtis Notes on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated
Item 3: W.W. Curtis Notes on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated
Item 4: W.W. Curtis Notes on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated
Item 5: W.W. Curtis Notes on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated
Item 6: W.W. Curtis Notes on Books and Reading, 1866-1901, undated
Folder 7: W.W. Curtis Index of Private Library, undated

Series X: Miscellaneous Books (Various), 1867-1899

Box 7

Item 8: W.W. Curtis Prayer Book, 1867
Folder 9: W.W. Curtis Church Appointments and Orders of Service, 1875-1877
Folder 10: W.W. Curtis Travel Notes, 1892
Folder 11: W.W. Curtis Notes on H.C. King Lectures, 1899

Series XI: "Notes on W.W. Curtis in Japan, 1877-1896," Typescript, undated

Received on July 5, 1973

Box 8

Folder 1: Papers of William D. Lewis, undated

Series XII: Photographs, 1881-1950, undated

Box 8

Folder 2: W.W. Curtis, 1885-1894, undated
Folder 3: W.W. Curtis and L.V. Curtis, 1885, undated
Folder 4: W.W. Curtis and Family, 1881-1901, undated
Folder 5: W.W. Curtis' Children, 1892-1898
Folder 6: Curtis—Friends, undated
Folder 7: Edith Curtis with Japanese and Mission Friends, 1913-1950, undated