JAMES H. STURGES

Sacramento County

Biographies

JAMES H. STURGES

James H. Sturges, watches and jewelry, Folsom, an honored and old-time citizen of this county, and of the town of Folsom, where he occupies important positions, was born in the town of Wallkill, Orange County, New York, December 27, 1828. His father, William L. Sturges, was also a native of the same place, as was also his grandfather. William L. Sturges married Miss E. Price, a native of Orange County, New York; her grandfather was a Welshman, and this is the only point in the history of the Sturges family that is traceable to a foreign county. When the subject of this sketch was five years old his parents moved with him to the city of New York, and lived there five years. His mother then died, and he returned to Orange County, and remained there three years; then he resided in New York again until he came to California in 1851. At the age of fifteen years he entered a jewelry store, and continued there until he came West. February 28, 1854, he sailed from New York and came by the Panama route to this State, arriving in San Francisco April 2, 1851. He went to the mines on Yuba River for a short time, and then was on Horse-Shoe Bar, on the American, until 1854; then one year in the neighborhood of Coloma, and then three years in the neighborhood of Negro Hill, opposite Mormon Island, and finally concluded to fall back upon his old trade, in watches and jewelry; but before getting a start in this, and after he had obtained his outfit of tools, he acted as water agent for the Negro Hill Ditch company for a time. He opened his present business in Folsom in December, 1860, and since that time he has uninterruptedly and faithfully prosecuted this confining business. In political matters he has been a Republican ever since the party was organized; prior to that he was a Whig. His first vote for the Presidency was cast for General Winfield Scott, in 1852, and the second for John C. Fremont in 1856, with the majority of the Northern Whigs. In 1881 he was appointed justice of the peace for Granite Township, and at the succeeding election elected to the same office, which position he has ever since held. In educational matters he has always taken a great interest. Has been school trustee five successive terms of three years each. He has been a member of the Masonic order for thirty years, and for the past five years secretary of Natoma Lodge, No. 64. Is also a member of the O. C. F., and secretary for seven years, each time unanimously elected; and he also belongs to the order of the Golden Shore. His marriage was celebrated May 1, 1861, when he wedded Miss Henrietta C. Wadleigh, and they have had two sons and one daughter: Charles H., Mary Louetta and James H. The daughter was married January 5, 1881, to General J. G. Martine, of Sacramento, and died July 30, 1888, the mother of two children. The elder son is residing at Folsom, in the employ of his father as assistant postmaster, J. H. Sturges, now having charge of the postoffice under C. L. Ecklon, postmaster, and the younger son is at New Castle, in the employ of the New Castle Fruit Company.

Transcribed by Karen Pratt.

Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 539-540. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.

Sacramento County Biographies