W. D. Sturgis

W. D. STURGIS, for many years a prominent agriculturist of Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas, has been a resident of the city of Edna since October, 1900, and is now devoting the greater part of his attention to stock dealing. He has dealt in stock since his boyhood days, and, being a man of good business ability, has met with great success. He was born in Illinois, in 1854, and is a son of J. H. Sturgis.

J. H. Sturgis was born in Fairfield, Ohio, in 1829, and became a plasterer. He followed farming most of his life, however, and now lives in retirement, in Illinois. He married Ann Hendershot, who was born in Staunton, Illinois, and they had two children: W. D., the subject of this sketch; and Sarah, deceased.

W. D. Sturgis spent his early life in Illinois, and at the age of twelve years began dealing in stock by buying eight pigs. He came to Kansas in the spring of 1890, and located in the north half of section 7, township 34, range 19, in Elm Grove township, Labette county, and engaged in general farming and stock raising. He made great improvements on his farm in every respect. In order to give more attention to his stock business, he rented his farm in October, 1900, and moved to the town of Edna. He also owns 160 acres of land east of Edna, which he devoted to pasturing purposes.

Mr. Sturgis was united in wedlock with Celia E. Smith, who was born in Illinois, in 1862, and they reared two children, - Florence E., a graduate of the County High School at Altamont, in 1899, who is now a teacher in the schools at Edna, and resides at home; and F. E., who also lives with his parents. In politics Mr. Sturgis is a Republican, and served as clerk of Elm Grove township in 1900. He is now in the town council. Fraternally, he belongs to Edna Lodge, A, F. & A. M. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Florence E. is an active member.