BIO: Curtis Kost, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
______________________________________________________________________ 

History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
______________________________________________________________________ 

                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER LVI.

                        SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

541  SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP.

  CURTIS KOST, justice of the peace, P. O. New Kingstown.  Among the 
prominent families of Cumberland County and the very earliest settlers 
appears the name of Kost.  They are of German descent.  The great-
grandfather, John George Jacob Kost, early settled in this township, 
buying land of the Indians, and part of the old mansion place, so 
called from being the old family residence, was bought from the Indians 
for three yards of calico per acre.  John George Jacob Kost, the son of 
above, was born in the old log house which bears the date 1776 over the 
mantel.  He married Miss Catharine Howk, and to them were born two 
children:  Michael and a daughter that died in infancy.  Michael, born 
January 14, 1807, married Miss Salome Senseman, of this county, and to 
this union were born six children:  Jacob, John, Mary, Adeline, Daniel 
and Curtis.  Michael Kost was a successful man and increased the 
paternal estate to 600 acres.  In politics he was a stanch Democrat.  
He was county commissioner for three years and held various township 
offices.  Of a mild and pleasant disposition, he was beloved by all his 
family, and in personal appearance his son Curtis greatly resembles 
him.  He lived to the age of seventy-four years.  He was a member of 
the Lutheran Church, as is also his widow, who is now aged seventy-
eight years.  Curtis Kost was born May 10, 1838, on the old homestead, 
where he remained until his marriage with Miss Margaret Amstrong, to 
which union were born three children, all of whom died young.  The 
mother died September 14, 1863.  November 20, 1870, Mr. Kost was again 
married, this time to Miss Nancy, daughter of John and Nancy (Royer) 
Losh, of Perry County, Penn.  To this union have been born eight 
children:  Elsetta A., Abbie S., George L., Emma E., Cora E., Robert 
R., Maggie E. and Rebecca W.  Mr. Kost followed agriculture until 1884 
on the farm inherited from his father, and which has been in the family 
four generations.  In 1885, he was elected justice of the peace, and is 
now living in New Kingston.  Mr. Kost is also a stanch Democrat and 

542  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

has stood by his party in the dark days of defeat and in the bright 
sunshine of victory.  He is a prominent man in the community and is 
well known throughout the county.  He has the reputation of being a 
sensible and gentlemanly business man.