U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sturm, Jesse T. (b.1844) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Sumner County, Kansas Author: Chapman Brothers published Chicago, 1890 Page 398 JESSE T. STURM. In compiling the main facts connected with the history of Mr. Sturm, one of the most highly respected citizens of Wellington, we find that he was a native of Virginia, and was born in Marion County, February 11, 1844. His father, Jesse Sturm, Sr., was likewise a native of that county and the son of Jacob Sturm, who was born and reared in Germany. The latter at an early day emigrated to America, being accompanied by two brothers; he was then a young man, and settled in the Old Dominion during the Colonial times. He served in the Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonists, and after the close of the great struggle purchased a large tract of land in Marion County, Va., and cleared a farm from the wilderness. He also erected a gristmill, which he operated, and there spent the remainder of his days. His wife was a native of his own county. Jesse Sturm, Sr., was reared to manhood in his native county, where he learned farming and milling. When reaching manhood, he purchased a tract of timber land there, of which he cleared quite an area, then selling a part, laid out the town of Worthington, erecting a mill and several other good buildings. The mill was operated by him, and he also conducted an hotel. In 1849, selling out the above-mentioned interests, he purchased a farm and mill site along the line of Marion and Harrison Counties. There he put up another mill, which he operated until 1873. He then sold out all his interests again and purchased another tract of land on the same stream, building another mill and operating this by steam. He purchased a home in the village of Wyatt, where he spent his last days, passing away October 10, 1883, at the age of seventy-six years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Matilda Davis. She likewise was a native of Marion County, Va., and the daughter of Caleb Davis, who was born near Moorfield, that State. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and spent his declining days in Marion County. Mrs. Matilda (Davis) Sturm died in Wyatt, Va., November 14, 1886. The parental family consisted of ten children, eight of whom lived to mature years, Jesse T. was reared and educated in Marion County, also in Harrison County, Va., and assisted his father in the labors of the farm and mill. During the second year of the war he enlisted, August 20, 1862, in Company H, Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry, and served until July 3, 1865, in the Army of West Virginia. He participated in the battles of Hulltown, Lynchburg, Carter's Farm, Winchester. Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. At the latter place his regiment was surprised and routed when Sherman made his famous ride at Winchester. Mr. Sturm saw the hero as he reached the line. Although Mr. Sturm was struck by a bullet and knocked down, he soon recovered and assisted in finishing the fight at Fisher's Hill, being the first man over the ramparts at Winchester, and he fired the first shot at Hulltown. In the first-mentioned place Mr. Sturm and his brother-inlaw, Lieut. Hess, with about twelve others, went in advance of the line of battle, running into an ambuscade of the enemy, and Mr. Sturm was the only one left standing when the regiment came up. Lieut. Hess was shot, and fell dead at his feet. The clothing and equipments of Mr. Sturm were perforated by forty-two bullets. He was then promoted to be Color-Sergeant, which position he retained until his discharge. Upon leaving the army, Mr. Sturm engaged in farming and lumbering at Mannington, W. Va. In 1870 he commenced teaching vocal music, which he followed until the spring of 1872, when he started for the country west of the Mississippi. Leaving West Virginia in March, 1872, he traveled by rail to Florence, Marion County, and then purchasing a team and wagon, drove through to this county. Soon thereafter he filed a claim to a tract of land in what is now Falls Township. The country was thinly settled, peopled principally by wild animals, including deer and buffalo. Newton, eighty miles distant, was the nearest railroad station. Mr. Sturm repaired thither, and purchasing lumber, hauled it to his claim, where he put up a house and commenced the improvement of his property. That first year he harvested a fine crop of corn from the soil. He has operated upon the maxim that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," and to-day retains possession of the land, which under his careful management has been transformed from a wild, uncultivated waste to a valuable homestead. He gradually added to his possessions, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty broad acres. He erected good buildings and supplied himself with all the necessary machinery for successful farming. He lived there until the 23d of September, 1888, then wisely retiring from active labor, took up his abode in Wellington. On the 11th of February, 1866, occurred the marriage of Jesse F. Sturm to Miss Lavinie J. Hess. This lady is likewise a native of Marion County, Va., and was born January 28, 1847. Her parents were Peter and Orpha (Sandy) Hess, who spent their last years in Worthington, W. Va. To Mr. and Mrs. Sturm there have been born six children, viz: Leonidas W., Leodas B., Lola M., Leiten L., Leonora L. and Lucius M. Mr. and Mrs. Sturm are members in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. Sturm belongs to Upton Post, No. 27, G.A.R., of which he is a charter member, and to Wellington Lodge, No. 133, I.O.O.F. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and has served as Trustee of Falls Township, School Director, Justice of the Peace, Road Commissioner, and in 1887 was elected County Treasurer. The ability displayed in the management of the finances of the great county of Sumner, and the uniform kindness and courtesy shown to all parties with whom he came in contact, raised our subject in the esteem of the people of his county, and in 1889 he was re-elected to that important and lucrative office by a largely increased majority, and is now about entering upon its duties for a second term. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information: --------------------------------------------------------------------- VITAL RECORDS (Jesse's mother) Death Register, Harrison County WV, Page 140 Name: Matilda Sturm Death-Date: November 14, 1886 at age 74 Daughter-of: Caleb & Susan Davis Wife-of: Jesse Sturm (Jesse's father) Death Register, Harrison County WV, Page 125 Name: Jesse Sturm Death-Date: December 10, 1885 at age 77 Son-of: Jacob Sturm Husband-of: Matilda Sturm MARRIAGE REGISTER, Marion County WV, page 30, line 17 Jesse T. Sturm (age 22) s/o Jesse & Matilda married Lavinia J. Hess (age 19) d/o Peter & Orpha on February 11, 1866 --------------------------------------------------------------------- CENSUS RECORDS (Jesse's parents) 1860 Census, Harrison County WV Post-office: Clarksburg hand-written page #67, lines 31-39 STURM, Jesse (51), Miller, $2000/$300, Va ", Matilda (47), Va Children: Mary M (21), Susan (19), Jesse T (16) Eliza A (14), Noah (12), Frederick H (10), William P (7) (Jesse's parents) 1870 Census, Harrison County WV Clay Township; PO: Clarksburg hand-written page #24, lines 21-27 STURM, Jesse (60), Millwright, $5000/$500, Va ", Matilda (58), Keeping-house, Va ", ???? N. (22), Teacher, Va ", Frederick H. (19) at school, Va ", William P. (17) at home, Va LYNCH, Margaret (17) Domestic-Servant, Va DAVIS, Susannah, (85) at-home, Va ---------------------------------------------------------------------