Curtis was born in Fort Adams, MS. He was both a lawyer and a minister. In 1864 he and a few friends migrated to California and his little wagon train was attacked twice by Indians. Their stock died, they ran out of food and were exhausted but the travelers found rest in San Bernardino where Curtis lived until 1868. The First Baptist Church of San Bernardino was organized by him and he was the first pastor. He moved to Los Angeles County where he died October 3, 1883.
Photo courtesy of City of San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society