Four Generations Of Curtis Family Honored As Pioneers

The Curtis family of Royal was among those honored Saturday evening with a Pioneer Farm Family award and four generations were present during the recognition at the Antelope County Fair.

For over a half century, AKSARBEN Foundation has teamed up with the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers to present the Pioneer Farm Award, recognizing Nebraska farm families who have consecutively held ownership of land in the same family for 100 years or more.

Jamie and Paula Curtis now reside on the farm located near Royal.

The NE 1/4-14-27-7 quarter was purchased by John Fremont and Albertina (Holm) Curtis in 1912. His son Clarence Dewalt and wife, Mary (Voorhies) Curtis, puchased the homestead in 1915 and build the house and outbuildings. They raised four children there - Wilson, Fremont, Mildred and Keith. Clarence and Mary lived there until 1962 when they moved to Orchard.

Clarence's grandson, Jan Dewalt and his wife, Elaine (Mitteis) Curtis, were married in 1959 and moved into a small house on the farm. In 1962, Jan and Elaine moved into the main house, where they raised three children - Marcie, Jamie and Corey. They purchased the quarter in 1977.

In 2009, Jan and Elaine moved to Creighton, and Jamie and wife, Paula (North) Curtis, and their two children - Jordan and Jason - moved onto the farm. They are the current owners.

Five generations of the Curtis have called this farm home. 

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