Born December 5, 1841 in Albion, New York, and died March 13, 1930 in Long Beach, California. He was one of the 14 children of Newman and Maria Van Bergen Curtis. The family moved from New York to Buchanan County, Iowa in 1856 when Henry was 12 years old. Henry worked his way for tuition, etc., while attending Fayette University (now Upper Iowa U.). He enlisted in 1861 (Civil War) and was mustered out in February 1866. He participated in many battles and was among prisoners captured at Shiloh. He returned to the university after the war. In 1868 he began reading the law with his brother-in-law, Senator Leonard Hart in Independence, Iowa, and was admitted to the Bar in 1870. He married Adelaide Griffith on November 14, 1872 in Iowa. They had one daughter, Florence M. Curtis (1874-1959). Henry Curtis practiced law in Buchanan and Plymouth County, Iowa for many years. He invested money in land in Iowa, Utah, Texas and California. He served as a State Representative for Plymouth County, Iowa. He retired in Long Beach, CA.