John White Curtis joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints shortly after it was organized and was baptized 25th June 1832. He was endowed in Nauvoo Temple 27th January 1846. He married Almira Starr 13th May 1841. They crossed the plains in one of the first companies with his father, Enos Curtis and the rest of their families after burying their beloved mother, Ruth Franklin Curtis, in May 1848.

They left all their possessions and suffered all the hardships of pioneer life. They were taught the gospel by their own parents and by missionaries and were anxious to travel and be with the church leaders. They settled in Springville in May 1851.

Enos had married Tamma Durfee and shortly after arriving in Utah. She also had a family. Her husband, Albert Miner, died while crossing the Plains. The two families lived together in both Springville and Aurora, working together and sharing as one family.

John White lived near his father in Springville and Aurora. Both were good carpenters as they worked most of the time together, building, surveying and farming. John married Matilda Miner in 1855. His first wife was an invalid most of her life; so, Matilda raised her two children, Elial and Almira, besides fourteen of her own.

John White Curtis was a Civil War veteran. In 1872, he was made Captain of the guards in a militia organized for protection from the Indians, Sevier County. He was a Black Hawk Indian War Veteran. He was a faithful church worker and an honest tithe payer.

His first Aurora home was built of logs, later he built a more spacious rock house. He made some of his own furniture such as beds, tables, benches, stools and chairs. He had erysipelas of the bone, which crippled him a little and he used a cane to walk.

The Pedigree of

08-John White CURTIS [1820-1802]
07-Enos CURTIS [1783-1856] and Ruth FRANKLIN [1790-1848]
06-Edmond CURTIS [1763-1814] and Polly AVERY (AVERILL) [1767-]
05-Jeremiah CURTIS [1728-1807] and Lydia GRANNIS [abt 1730-]
04-Caleb CURTIS [1703-1777] and Jemima CAULKINS [1708-1778]
03-Samuel CURTIS [1681-1740] and Mary PARKER [abt 1681 or 1685-1724]
02-Caleb CURTIS [1646-1730] and Elizabeth RYDER or RIDER [abt 1648-1711]
01-Richard CURTIS [1645-1671] and Sarah CARWITHEY []
00-Richard Curtis [] and Susanna RYAN []


Tamma Durfee Miner Curtis (1813-1885)was married to his father Enos.He was married to Almira Starr Curtis (1815-1883) and Matilda Miner (1840-1909).