Finding Aid for Edward A. Curtiss Papers, 1910, 1916-22 | University of Illinois Archives

Title: Edward A. Curtiss Papers, 1910, 1916-22

ID: 41/20/256

Primary Creator: Curtiss, Edward A. (1897-1962)

Extent: 0.5 cubic feet

Date Acquired: 06/10/2015

Subjects: Dad's Day, Dances, Dean of Men, Delta Phi, Football, Homecoming, Iris Fraternity, National Society of Scabbard and Blade, Reserve Officers Training Corps, Stadium, Swimming, Track and Field, Wrestling

Papers of Edward A. Curtiss (1897-1962) (Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, 1922) include diploma (1922), scrapbook (1910, 1916-22), and Memorial Stadium booklet (1921). In his time at the University of Illinois, Curtiss was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity, Scabbard and Blade honor society, was an officer in the University Brigade (Captain, then Major), chaired the Freshman Frolic Committee, and sat on the Senior Ball Committee.

Scrapbook contains items relating to Curtiss’ University experience, along with his personal life and family.  Examples include athletic programs, correspondence (some from Dean Thomas Arkle Clark), dance cards, “Freshman Party” planning documents, hanging tags, homecoming badges/pins/buttons, photographs (family, football, homecoming, military), ticket stubs (U of I and community events), uniform patches and felt buttons, and witty poems.

See also: Record Series 41/20/2, the William G. Curtiss Scrapbook, which was created by Edward Curtiss' father.  These two scrapbooks are the only ones at the University of Illinois Archives known to be from a parent and child.

Edward Augustus Curtiss was born in Stockton, Illinois, on September 28^th, 1897, one of six children born to William Goss Curtiss (University of Illinois Class of 1882) and Lora Belle Giller Curtiss.

He entered the University in the fall semester of 1916, and quickly became an involved student (much as his father was in the 1870s and 1880s) and a leader in the freshman class.  He chaired the “Freshman Frolic Committee,” and planned a “Freshman Party” in the Women’s Building (now English Building) in the spring of 1917.  This involved corresponding with Dean Thomas Arkle Clark, not an easy feat for a new student.  He also joined the Delta Phi fraternity, and attended numerous dances, sporting events, and social events.

In April 1917, he requested and received permission to leave the University to begin “farm work in the national defense.”  However, he continued his studies in some capacity, informing Dean Clark of this in May, which impressed the dean enough that he wrote a personal letter thanking Curtiss for his correspondence.  At some point, likely in 1917-18, he joined the United States Army, serving as a private in the 344^th Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces.  He almost certainly served overseas in France, as the 344^th Battalion was the first American tank unit to see combat, under the command of George S. Patton.

After leaving the service, he re-entered the University of Illinois, likely in the fall semester of 1919.  He continued his campus involvement, donating to the construction of Memorial Stadium (and receiving “Stadium Builder” and “Stadium Worker” pins).  At some point, he joined the Scabbard and Blade military honor society and attended numerous events for that organization and his fraternity, Delta Phi.  He also was a fixture at sporting events, and saved programs, ticket stubs, and Athletic Association coupon books.

He continued military activities, serving as an officer in the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, where he received, quite appropriately, credit for his tank training in the Army in lieu of the same class at the University.  This culminated in an offer of appointment as an “Assistant in Military Science,” which might have been a student instructor position of some sort.

Curtiss apparently made quite an impression on the young ladies in his class, receiving personalized love letters from prospective suitors.

After his graduation in 1922, he married Clarice A. Pendarvis in 1929 and died in 1962.  Clarice outlived him and was buried at his side upon her death in 1999.

Dad's Day
Dances
Dean of Men
Delta Phi
Football
Homecoming
Iris Fraternity
National Society of Scabbard and Blade
Reserve Officers Training Corps
Stadium
Swimming
Track and Field
Wrestling

Repository: University of Illinois Archives

Acquisition Source: Carol Wubbena, great niece of Edward Augustus Curtiss.

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/4120256.pdf

PDF finding aid for Edward A. Curtiss Papers (41/20/256)