John J. Curtis' cremated remains were not initially taken after death and were available at Oregon State Hospital to be claimed by anyone who is related. In 2021 a relative received the ashes.
John was born on 12/2/1892 in Harrisburg, Linn County, in Oregon's Willamette Valley to James J. Curtis & Anna E. Cress. John's mother was born in Ohio in the 1850s and his father was born in Missouri in 1848. They were married in 1869 in Linn County, Oregon where they were farming.
John was the youngest of their 11 children. His siblings, all born in Oregon, included: Lawrence H. (born about 1871), Lowren George (1872), Leon (about 1877), Lester Andrew (1875), William Lora (1880), Frank (1883), brother Sylvia A. (1885), and Arletta (1890).
During the censuses of 1870 & 1880 (before John was born), the Curtis family was farming in Harrisburg, Oregon.
In the 1900 census, the Curtises were listed in Jackson County in southern Oregon with Anna's brother, James Cress, and his family. Both John's father and his uncle James were farm laborers. John (age 7) was not attending school although even younger children in the area were in school. John had a disability of some type and his not attending school may indicate his developmental disorder was apparent at an early age.
By the time of the census of 1910, the Curtis family had returned to Linn County. They were living in Sweet Home, Oregon. Sylvia (age 24), Arletta (19), and John (16) were with their parents and working "at home" which meant they were not employed. All three were disabled in some way. That year (1910) John was listed in the census twice. He was also listed as an "inmate" at the State Institution for the Feeble Minded. (OSIFM). The facility was a quasi-educational institution in Salem, Oregon charged with educating people with developmental disabilities. In 1933 the facility was renamed Oregon Fairview Home and it was closed in 2000.
In the 1920 census, John (age 27) was doubly listed again. He was listed with his parents and three siblings in Sweet Home. His brother Lawrence and his parents were able to read and write, but John, his brother Sylvia (age 32) and sister Arletta (29) could not. His brothers were working as farm laborers, but John was not employed. At the same time John was also listed as a patient at OSIFM. It appears that although he was a patient at OSIFM he was given furloughs to spend time at home.
His mother died in 1923. His brother Lowren married Addie Gibler. They had two children Irene L. and Lowren "Deane" Curtis. Lowren died on 2/11/1924 in Portland. John's father died on 6/25/1924 of heart problems complicated by a post-surgical infection. John's parents were buried at the Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery in Brownsville, Oregon.
On 7/11/1924 just 16 days after his father's death, John was re-admitted to OSIFM where he lived the rest of his life. He was listed at the institution in the 1930 & 1940 censuses. After being a patient at the institution for over 30 years John died there of tuberculosis at the age of 50 on 2/5/1943. His body was transported to the nearby Oregon State (psychiatric) Hospital where he was cremated and where his ashes are still being stored.
At least by the time of the 1930 census John's sister Arletta had also been institutionalized at Fairview. It is suspected that like John she was placed there after her parents died. She died of tuberculosis at Fairview on 8/21/1938. Her name is not on the list of unclaimed cremains.
John's brother William married Nan (McCallen) McCormack. She had 2 children by a previous marriage then she and William had 4 children: William, James, Josephine, and Mary. William died in Douglas County, Oregon on 6/21/1949.
His brother Lawrence married when he was in his 50s. He and his wife never had children. Lawrence died in Portland, Oregon on 7/20/1949.
Brother Lester married Ella Rust. They had at least four children: Walter, Chester Lester, and Willard. He died on 7/14/1955.
Brother Sylvia never married or had children. He was not found listed at Fairview in the censuses, but it appears he was disabled and not able to live independently. On 8/6/1956 he died of a heart attack in Albany, Oregon in a nursing home where he had lived for many years.
John's brother Frank was the last of John's surviving siblings. He died in 1961.
More information about the 3500 unclaimed cremains at OSH is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/amh/osh/pages/cremains.aspx A book by David Maisel and a documentary by Ondi Timoner & Robert James, both entitled "Library of Dust" also provide more information.
John was born on 12/2/1892 in Harrisburg, Linn County, in Oregon's Willamette Valley to James J. Curtis & Anna E. Cress. John's mother was born in Ohio in the 1850s and his father was born in Missouri in 1848. They were married in 1869 in Linn County, Oregon where they were farming.
John was the youngest of their 11 children. His siblings, all born in Oregon, included: Lawrence H. (born about 1871), Lowren George (1872), Leon (about 1877), Lester Andrew (1875), William Lora (1880), Frank (1883), brother Sylvia A. (1885), and Arletta (1890).
During the censuses of 1870 & 1880 (before John was born), the Curtis family was farming in Harrisburg, Oregon.
In the 1900 census, the Curtises were listed in Jackson County in southern Oregon with Anna's brother, James Cress, and his family. Both John's father and his uncle James were farm laborers. John (age 7) was not attending school although even younger children in the area were in school. John had a disability of some type and his not attending school may indicate his developmental disorder was apparent at an early age.
By the time of the census of 1910, the Curtis family had returned to Linn County. They were living in Sweet Home, Oregon. Sylvia (age 24), Arletta (19), and John (16) were with their parents and working "at home" which meant they were not employed. All three were disabled in some way. That year (1910) John was listed in the census twice. He was also listed as an "inmate" at the State Institution for the Feeble Minded. (OSIFM). The facility was a quasi-educational institution in Salem, Oregon charged with educating people with developmental disabilities. In 1933 the facility was renamed Oregon Fairview Home and it was closed in 2000.
In the 1920 census, John (age 27) was doubly listed again. He was listed with his parents and three siblings in Sweet Home. His brother Lawrence and his parents were able to read and write, but John, his brother Sylvia (age 32) and sister Arletta (29) could not. His brothers were working as farm laborers, but John was not employed. At the same time John was also listed as a patient at OSIFM. It appears that although he was a patient at OSIFM he was given furloughs to spend time at home.
His mother died in 1923. His brother Lowren married Addie Gibler. They had two children Irene L. and Lowren "Deane" Curtis. Lowren died on 2/11/1924 in Portland. John's father died on 6/25/1924 of heart problems complicated by a post-surgical infection. John's parents were buried at the Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery in Brownsville, Oregon.
On 7/11/1924 just 16 days after his father's death, John was re-admitted to OSIFM where he lived the rest of his life. He was listed at the institution in the 1930 & 1940 censuses. After being a patient at the institution for over 30 years John died there of tuberculosis at the age of 50 on 2/5/1943. His body was transported to the nearby Oregon State (psychiatric) Hospital where he was cremated and where his ashes are still being stored.
At least by the time of the 1930 census John's sister Arletta had also been institutionalized at Fairview. It is suspected that like John she was placed there after her parents died. She died of tuberculosis at Fairview on 8/21/1938. Her name is not on the list of unclaimed cremains.
John's brother William married Nan (McCallen) McCormack. She had 2 children by a previous marriage then she and William had 4 children: William, James, Josephine, and Mary. William died in Douglas County, Oregon on 6/21/1949.
His brother Lawrence married when he was in his 50s. He and his wife never had children. Lawrence died in Portland, Oregon on 7/20/1949.
Brother Lester married Ella Rust. They had at least four children: Walter, Chester Lester, and Willard. He died on 7/14/1955.
Brother Sylvia never married or had children. He was not found listed at Fairview in the censuses, but it appears he was disabled and not able to live independently. On 8/6/1956 he died of a heart attack in Albany, Oregon in a nursing home where he had lived for many years.
John's brother Frank was the last of John's surviving siblings. He died in 1961.
More information about the 3500 unclaimed cremains at OSH is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/amh/osh/pages/cremains.aspx A book by David Maisel and a documentary by Ondi Timoner & Robert James, both entitled "Library of Dust" also provide more information.
John J. Curtis' cremated remains were not initially taken after death and were available at Oregon State Hospital to be claimed by anyone who is related. In 2021 a relative received the ashes.
John was born on 12/2/1892 in Harrisburg, Linn County, in Oregon's Willamette Valley to James J. Curtis & Anna E. Cress. John's mother was born in Ohio in the 1850s and his father was born in Missouri in 1848. They were married in 1869 in Linn County, Oregon where they were farming.
John was the youngest of their 11 children. His siblings, all born in Oregon, included: Lawrence H. (born about 1871), Lowren George (1872), Leon (about 1877), Lester Andrew (1875), William Lora (1880), Frank (1883), brother Sylvia A. (1885), and Arletta (1890).
During the censuses of 1870 & 1880 (before John was born), the Curtis family was farming in Harrisburg, Oregon.
In the 1900 census, the Curtises were listed in Jackson County in southern Oregon with Anna's brother, James Cress, and his family. Both John's father and his uncle James were farm laborers. John (age 7) was not attending school although even younger children in the area were in school. John had a disability of some type and his not attending school may indicate his developmental disorder was apparent at an early age.
By the time of the census of 1910, the Curtis family had returned to Linn County. They were living in Sweet Home, Oregon. Sylvia (age 24), Arletta (19), and John (16) were with their parents and working "at home" which meant they were not employed. All three were disabled in some way. That year (1910) John was listed in the census twice. He was also listed as an "inmate" at the State Institution for the Feeble Minded. (OSIFM). The facility was a quasi-educational institution in Salem, Oregon charged with educating people with developmental disabilities. In 1933 the facility was renamed Oregon Fairview Home and it was closed in 2000.
In the 1920 census, John (age 27) was doubly listed again. He was listed with his parents and three siblings in Sweet Home. His brother Lawrence and his parents were able to read and write, but John, his brother Sylvia (age 32) and sister Arletta (29) could not. His brothers were working as farm laborers, but John was not employed. At the same time John was also listed as a patient at OSIFM. It appears that although he was a patient at OSIFM he was given furloughs to spend time at home.
His mother died in 1923. His brother Lowren married Addie Gibler. They had two children Irene L. and Lowren "Deane" Curtis. Lowren died on 2/11/1924 in Portland. John's father died on 6/25/1924 of heart problems complicated by a post-surgical infection. John's parents were buried at the Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery in Brownsville, Oregon.
On 7/11/1924 just 16 days after his father's death, John was re-admitted to OSIFM where he lived the rest of his life. He was listed at the institution in the 1930 & 1940 censuses. After being a patient at the institution for over 30 years John died there of tuberculosis at the age of 50 on 2/5/1943. His body was transported to the nearby Oregon State (psychiatric) Hospital where he was cremated and where his ashes are still being stored.
At least by the time of the 1930 census John's sister Arletta had also been institutionalized at Fairview. It is suspected that like John she was placed there after her parents died. She died of tuberculosis at Fairview on 8/21/1938. Her name is not on the list of unclaimed cremains.
John's brother William married Nan (McCallen) McCormack. She had 2 children by a previous marriage then she and William had 4 children: William, James, Josephine, and Mary. William died in Douglas County, Oregon on 6/21/1949.
His brother Lawrence married when he was in his 50s. He and his wife never had children. Lawrence died in Portland, Oregon on 7/20/1949.
Brother Lester married Ella Rust. They had at least four children: Walter, Chester Lester, and Willard. He died on 7/14/1955.
Brother Sylvia never married or had children. He was not found listed at Fairview in the censuses, but it appears he was disabled and not able to live independently. On 8/6/1956 he died of a heart attack in Albany, Oregon in a nursing home where he had lived for many years.
John's brother Frank was the last of John's surviving siblings. He died in 1961.
More information about the 3500 unclaimed cremains at OSH is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/amh/osh/pages/cremains.aspx A book by David Maisel and a documentary by Ondi Timoner & Robert James, both entitled "Library of Dust" also provide more information.
John was born on 12/2/1892 in Harrisburg, Linn County, in Oregon's Willamette Valley to James J. Curtis & Anna E. Cress. John's mother was born in Ohio in the 1850s and his father was born in Missouri in 1848. They were married in 1869 in Linn County, Oregon where they were farming.
John was the youngest of their 11 children. His siblings, all born in Oregon, included: Lawrence H. (born about 1871), Lowren George (1872), Leon (about 1877), Lester Andrew (1875), William Lora (1880), Frank (1883), brother Sylvia A. (1885), and Arletta (1890).
During the censuses of 1870 & 1880 (before John was born), the Curtis family was farming in Harrisburg, Oregon.
In the 1900 census, the Curtises were listed in Jackson County in southern Oregon with Anna's brother, James Cress, and his family. Both John's father and his uncle James were farm laborers. John (age 7) was not attending school although even younger children in the area were in school. John had a disability of some type and his not attending school may indicate his developmental disorder was apparent at an early age.
By the time of the census of 1910, the Curtis family had returned to Linn County. They were living in Sweet Home, Oregon. Sylvia (age 24), Arletta (19), and John (16) were with their parents and working "at home" which meant they were not employed. All three were disabled in some way. That year (1910) John was listed in the census twice. He was also listed as an "inmate" at the State Institution for the Feeble Minded. (OSIFM). The facility was a quasi-educational institution in Salem, Oregon charged with educating people with developmental disabilities. In 1933 the facility was renamed Oregon Fairview Home and it was closed in 2000.
In the 1920 census, John (age 27) was doubly listed again. He was listed with his parents and three siblings in Sweet Home. His brother Lawrence and his parents were able to read and write, but John, his brother Sylvia (age 32) and sister Arletta (29) could not. His brothers were working as farm laborers, but John was not employed. At the same time John was also listed as a patient at OSIFM. It appears that although he was a patient at OSIFM he was given furloughs to spend time at home.
His mother died in 1923. His brother Lowren married Addie Gibler. They had two children Irene L. and Lowren "Deane" Curtis. Lowren died on 2/11/1924 in Portland. John's father died on 6/25/1924 of heart problems complicated by a post-surgical infection. John's parents were buried at the Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery in Brownsville, Oregon.
On 7/11/1924 just 16 days after his father's death, John was re-admitted to OSIFM where he lived the rest of his life. He was listed at the institution in the 1930 & 1940 censuses. After being a patient at the institution for over 30 years John died there of tuberculosis at the age of 50 on 2/5/1943. His body was transported to the nearby Oregon State (psychiatric) Hospital where he was cremated and where his ashes are still being stored.
At least by the time of the 1930 census John's sister Arletta had also been institutionalized at Fairview. It is suspected that like John she was placed there after her parents died. She died of tuberculosis at Fairview on 8/21/1938. Her name is not on the list of unclaimed cremains.
John's brother William married Nan (McCallen) McCormack. She had 2 children by a previous marriage then she and William had 4 children: William, James, Josephine, and Mary. William died in Douglas County, Oregon on 6/21/1949.
His brother Lawrence married when he was in his 50s. He and his wife never had children. Lawrence died in Portland, Oregon on 7/20/1949.
Brother Lester married Ella Rust. They had at least four children: Walter, Chester Lester, and Willard. He died on 7/14/1955.
Brother Sylvia never married or had children. He was not found listed at Fairview in the censuses, but it appears he was disabled and not able to live independently. On 8/6/1956 he died of a heart attack in Albany, Oregon in a nursing home where he had lived for many years.
John's brother Frank was the last of John's surviving siblings. He died in 1961.
More information about the 3500 unclaimed cremains at OSH is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/amh/osh/pages/cremains.aspx A book by David Maisel and a documentary by Ondi Timoner & Robert James, both entitled "Library of Dust" also provide more information.
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