Obit for Lewis Hall McCurdy, Lowndes, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lowndes/obits/lmccurdy.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: Carolyn Golowka ==================================================================== October 2001 Louis (Lewis) Hall McCurdy married Florence L. Reese on Nov. 7, 1872 and they had at least three children: an infant who is buried in Oakview Cemetery, Lowndesboro along with Lewis and Florence, Edward Sellers McCurdy, b. May 28, 1874, d. September 22, 1946; and George Reese McCurdy, b. January 18, 1879, d. February 26, 1945. They are buried in Oakview Cemetery as well. Lewis had two brothers in Lowndes County as well. They were William Dixon McCurdy and Edmond Sellers McCurdy. William married Cornelia Harper Reese on July 12, 1859 and Edmond married first Susan Camilla Reese on June 4, 1867, and second Georgiana Reese. Lewis' wife, Florence, Susan Camilla and Georgiana were the daughters of George and Ann Reese. Camilla Harper Reese, William's wife, was the daughter of Nathaniel Reese. The relationship between Camilla and sisters Florence, Susan and Georgiana is not known to me. William, Edmond, and their wives are buried in Oakview Cemetery as well. Above information added by Carolyn Golowka From the Hayneville Citizen-Examiner, 1911 "LOUIS HALL MCCURDY, IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION Some months ago, on last May 4th, a very large company of friends laid the body of Mr. Louis Hall McCurdy to rest in the cemetery at Lowndesboro. Mr. McCurdy as at the time of his death just a little past sixty-four, having been born at Oakbowery on May 1, 1847. His parents were Edward S. and Mary Harris McCurdy. In 1872 he married Miss Florence Reese of Lowndesboro. She, tow sons, Edward and George, and a brother William D. besides many other relatives are left to honor his memory. Few men the writer has ever known have been so sorely missed from the home and the community. Constantly, whenever one turns, there are some reminders of Mr. Louis McCurdy. As the days and months have gone by, I have sought to form a just estimate of his life and character, and now as a friend who greatly misses him, and as a minister who loved him, I wish to set forth some of those traits of his character that seem to me to stand out prominently. First of all Brother McCurdy was everybody's friend. There was the secret of his deserved popularity. He loved men, so men loved him. He was open handed, he was cheerful and brotherly in his greeting. He was kind and sympathetic, public spirited, charitable, companionable. Even to his own sons, while nonetheless a father, he was more a friend, a companion, a brother. To his brother William, he was a friend and companion indeed. In his home, in his business relations, everywhere, he was preeminently friendly. So as our friend, we shall cherish his memory and shall seek to more imitate his friendliness. Brother McCurdy was truly a lover of the out-of -doors. HE was a man and for the country. He loved horses, dogs, outdoor sport and exercise, and this, too, without any of the excesses such tastes sometimes lead to, for he was remarkably temperate and tenderhearted. He was a large and successful planter, and he and his brother owned a remarkably fine herd of dairy cattle, and made the McCurdy Horses well and widely known. One could not help noticing how Mr. McCurdy loved children. He often said, "I love them because they are so pure and innocent. There is no guile or pretense in them." So naturally children loved him. There was no display or put-on to him, but he was frank and simple in manner and tastes. At his request his coffin was borne from his home to the cemetery in a one-horse wagon drawn by an old, favorite mare driven by his two sons. Brother McCurdy was a man of sterling character. HE loved truth; he had a reputation for fair and just dealing and he had a high sense of honor and gentlemanly courtesy. In his desire and purpose, in the deep motives of his heart, he was truly religious. Though he did not unite with the church until shortly before his death, for many years he was in all but name an active participant in the work of our church, being one of the trustees of the charge, and having been largely instrumental in securing our present parsonage. He and his family have been true frineds of the preacher for many a year, and so, the church and her ministry value him and miss him. With profound sorrow we have given him up. With sincere love we shall cherish his memory. In another and better country we hope again to renew with him our interrupted friendship. Henry M. Andrews Lowndesboro, Ala., Nov. 11, 1911"